Difference between revisions of "David Livingston"

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'''Dr. David Livingston''' (1813-1873) was a [[Scottish]] [[missionary]], [[doctor]], and [[explorer]]. He is best known for his work in exploring central [[Africa]], spreading [[Christianity]], and fighting the [[slave trade]]. Some recognize him as the greatest of all African missionaries, explorers, and antislavery advocates. Livingston's work in Africa opened up an estimated one million square miles of previously uncharted land. 
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#REDIRECT [[David Livingstone]]
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==History==
 
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===Early Life===
 
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Livingston was born into a poor family living in Blantyre, [[Scotland]] in 1813. He had three brothers and one sister which were crowded into a two-room house. While in school at age ten, he worked at a local [[cotton]] mill fourteen hours a day.  At a young age Livingston became fascinated with medical [[science]] and [[theology]], He studied both of these areas and graduated from the [[University of Glasgow]], in 1838, with a degree in theology and medicine. After college Livingston traveled to [[London]] to train for [[missionary]] work. He tried to travel to [[China]] as a missionary in 1838, but the [[Opium War]] in [[China]] blocked his access. The [[Missionary Society]] in London hesitated to sponsor Livingston because they did not believe that his speaking style was polished enough. Livingston soon met [[Robert Moffat]], a missionary to [[Cape Town]], [[Africa]]. While attending one of Moffat’s lectures Livingston was struck by Moffats accounts of Africa. When speaking of Africa Moffat stated that, “I have sometimes seen, in the morning [[sun]], the smoke of a thousand villages, where no missionary has ever been<ref> Believers Web, “David Livingstone,” http://www.believersweb.org/view.cfm?ID=74</ref>.” It was at this time that Livingston decided to go to Africa.  In 1841, Livingstone traveled to with Moffat back to his missionary base to help with his mission work. Livingston began his work in Africa quickly; in 1842 he started a four year campaign to find the route to upper [[Zambezi River]], his work here helped the Europeans commerce, which he believed instrumental in bringing Christianity to the region.  He also started to push north to places that had not been explored by Europeans before. Livingston also spoke against the [[slavery]] being carried out on the continent. As Livingston traveled he became convinced that his mission was to reach the people in the interior of Africa and introduce them to [[Christianity]]. He married Moffat’s daughter, Mary, in 1845 and then settled north in [[Kolobeng]]. 
 
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===1845-1862===
 
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In 1849, Livingston, and a friend began an expedition to cross the [[Kalahri Desert]], to discover what later began known as [[Lake Ngami]]. The two explorers succeed and later, in 1851, discovered the [[Zambezi River]]. Because of dangers of exploring, Livingston sent his wife, and four kids, back to [[England]]. He set off again to discover more of central Africa. Because of the dangers that Livingston had encountered, he was equipped with 27 men to do his exploring. As he traveled he calculated the latitude and longitude of his the area. He also used his scientific knowledge in measuring the temperatures of waters and elevation. Livingston discovered ‘[[Victoria Falls]]”, which he named after the English queen in 1855. In his travels he became the first European to travel the distance across southern Africa.  He returned to [[Brittan]], and Glasgow, Scotland, here he spent six months talking before the Royal Society, the Royal Geography Society,and the College of Physicians. 1856, he wrote a book documenting his discoveries entitled, ‘''Missionary Travels and Researches in South Africa''' the book sold over 70,000 copies and was a best seller<ref> BBC, Historic Figures, http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/historic_figures/livingstone_david.shtml</ref>.  Livingstone returned to Africa in 1858, this time along with his missions work he carried out explorations in central Africa(including [[Lakes Mweru]] and [[Bangweulu]]). In addition to his wife’s death of [[malaria]] in 1862, Livingston was having a hard time in his exploration. At one point some European members of his exploration had a fight and nearly mutinied <ref>Wendy Kahler, Essortment, 2002, “David Livingstone”, http://iaia.essortment.com/drlivingstone_rnli.htm</ref>.
 
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===1862-1895===
 
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He returned to home, in 1864, and began publishing material on the horrors of the slave trade. After returning to Africa in 1865, Livingston set out on a personal obsession of his, finding the source of the [[Nile River]]. During his time exploring his correspondence with Europe was cut short and word spread that he had died. It was later found out that his crew had deserted him, and lied about his death. An [[American]] Newsman for the [[New York Herald]], [[Henry Stanley]], was later sent out to find Livingston.  Some historians think that the motivation for Stanley’s search was to find Livingstone to pursue fortune. After eight months of searching Stanley finally found Livingstone. The two explored [[Lake Tanganyika]] together, then Stanley returned and filed a report of his exploration. Stanley came to Africa as an atheist but was converted to Christianity. He recalled his experience with Livingstone, “It was not Livingstone’s preaching that converted me, it was Livingstone’s living”. During Livingstone time exploring he had gotten ill, Stanley left him with supplies when he returned to America. Although Livingston was offered to travel back to Europe, he refused. In April of 1873, Livingston wrote, “I am pale  bloodless, and weak from bleeding profusely ever since the 31st of March last, an artery gives off a copious stream, and takes away my strength<ref>Sam Wellman, Heroes of the Faith, “David Livingston”, Barbour Publishing, pg. 200</ref>.” On April 27, 1773 Livingston died while praying. Livingstone heart was buried in Africa under a mvula tree, the rest of his body was buried in [[Westminster Abbey]], on April 18, 1874, after being shipped back to England by the HMS Vulture. In 1913, the [[Royal Geographical Society]] held a meeting to commemorate Livingstone, they stated,
 
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{{Cquote|"In the course of his wonderful career, Livingston served three masters. As a missionary he was the sincere and zealous servant of God. As an explorer he was the indefatigable servant of science. As the denouncer of the slave trade he was the fiery servant of humanity"<ref> Janet and Geoff Benge, Christian Heroes: Then & Now, “David Livingston,”pg. 214</ref>. }}
 
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==Impact==
 
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Livingstone life work as a missionary, explorer, and advocate against slavery had huge impacts on both [[Europe]] and [[Africa]].  In 1893, Britain established its first colony in Africa, the British Central Africa Protectorate (today known as the [[Republic of Malawi]]), Livingstone’s work was instrumental in this effort. He added to European knowledge of African geography about one million square miles, and his maps and information was used to help bring the [[Bible]] to Africans. The effects of this can be seen today. As of 1990, in ten modern African countries in which Livingstone traveled, with a combined population of 140 million (125 million of that African-born), 75 million are [[Christians]].<ref>Sam Wellman, Heroes of the Faith, “David Livingston”, Barbour Publishing, pg. 204</ref>. Livingstone efforts fighting the slave trade later help lead to its abolishment<ref> Believers Web, “David Livingstone,” http://www.believersweb.org/view.cfm?ID=74</ref>. Livingston’s father in law, Robert Moffat, stated after Livingstone’s death, “He Sacrificed everything-home, Christian intercourse, lucrative prospects, and earthly honors, for one grand object, to carry the Gospel of the Son of God to the heart of Africa."<ref>Sam Wellman, Heroes of the Faith, “David Livingston”, Barbour Publishing, pg. 203</ref>
 
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==Trivia==
 
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*Livingstone traveled over 40,000 [[mile]]s over a thirty-two [[year]] period 
 
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*Livingstone’s son fought in the civil war <ref>Wendy Kahler, Essortment, 2002, “David Livingstone”, http://iaia.essortment.com/drlivingstone_rnli.htm</ref>
 
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*The day Livingston died was declared a day of national mourning in the British Isles
 
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*Robert Moffet, Livingstone father in-law, lived longer the Livingstone
 
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*Over 100 books have been written about Livingston
 
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*The Pallbearers for Livingston funeral were Thomas Steele, now Sir [[Tomas Steele]], two friends of Livingston, Jacob Wright, a transporter of Livingstone’s body, Robert Moffet, and Henry Stanley.
 
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*Livingstone was given the longest funeral procession in history of over 1000 miles.
 
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* One of the most popular phase related to Dr. Livingstone was said by Henry Stanley, after he had found Livingstone, he stated, “Dr. Livingstone, I presume.”
 
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==References==
 
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<references/>
 
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[[Category:Biographies]][[Category:Explorers]][[Category:Missionary's]]
 

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