John Hanning Speke

John Hanning Speke (1827-64) RMG F8616 (cropped)

John Hanning Speke (4 May 1827 – 15 September 1864) was an English explorer and officer in the British Army. He is most associated with the exploration of East Africa and the discovery of the source of the Nile River. Speke's findings played a crucial role in the eventual mapping and understanding of the geography of Central and East Africa. His work alongside fellow explorer Richard Francis Burton on the expeditions to find the source of the Nile was pioneering, though it also led to a famous rivalry between the two men.

Early Life

John Hanning Speke was born on 4 May 1827 in Jordans, near Ilminster, Somerset, England, into a family of British gentry. He was educated in a variety of schools before joining the British Army in 1844, where he served in the Indian Army during the Punjab Campaign.

Explorations

In 1854, Speke accompanied Richard Francis Burton on an expedition to Somalia. The journey was fraught with difficulties, and Speke was severely wounded. Despite this, the expedition laid the groundwork for his future explorations in Africa.

In 1856, Speke and Burton embarked on an expedition to explore the interior of East Africa with the aim of discovering the source of the Nile River. They reached Lake Tanganyika in February 1858, but due to illness and the difficult terrain, they were unable to ascertain whether it was the true source of the Nile.

Later in 1858, Speke traveled alone to another large body of water, which he named Lake Victoria. He was convinced that Lake Victoria was the true source of the Nile. However, Burton disagreed with Speke's conclusions, leading to a public dispute between the two explorers.

Speke returned to the region in 1860, accompanied by James Augustus Grant, to further explore Lake Victoria and confirm his theory. This expedition provided further evidence that Lake Victoria was indeed the source of the Nile. Speke and Grant reached the northern end of the lake and followed the Nile downstream to Gondokoro, where they met Samuel Baker, another explorer, further confirming Speke's discovery.

Legacy

John Hanning Speke's discovery of the source of the Nile was a significant milestone in the exploration of Africa. His work provided valuable geographical knowledge and contributed to the European understanding of the African continent's interior. However, his rivalry with Burton and the controversy over the source of the Nile overshadowed his achievements during his lifetime.

Speke died on 15 September 1864 from a gunshot wound, which was ruled accidental. His contributions to exploration are commemorated in various ways, including the naming of geographical features after him.

Controversy

The debate over the source of the Nile created a rift between Speke and Burton. The controversy was to be settled by a debate between the two men scheduled for 16 September 1864, but Speke died the day before the debate could take place. The circumstances of his death have led to speculation, but it is generally accepted to have been an accident.

Conclusion

John Hanning Speke's explorations in East Africa and his discovery of the source of the Nile River have left a lasting legacy in the field of exploration. Despite the controversies and rivalries that marked his career, his contributions to the mapping and understanding of Africa's geography cannot be understated.