Explorer. Born Devon. The first European, while on an expedition with Richard Burton to East Africa in 1858, to discover Lake Victoria. On a subsequent journey with James Grant in 1862, he confirmed its northern outlet as the source of the Nile. Burton queried whether Speke really had found the source of the Nile and the two fell out. Murchison arranged a debate between them. Two days before this debate Speke left a lunch where Burton was present, to go on a partridge shoot. Climbing over a wall he shot himself. Suicide was suspected but never proved. Since his death there have been suggestions that he was a repressed homosexual, although he is known to have fathered a child in Buganda, and even that he and Burton had had an intimate relationship.
Other Subjects
Sir Ernest Shackleton
Born Kilkee, county Clare, Ireland. He led several Antarctic expeditions and located the South magnetic pole during his voyage of 1907-1909. Died of a heart attach on a voyage to the South Atlantic...
Thomas Plater
Role on the lost expedition: Petty officer on SS Erebus. See John Franklin.
Sir Hugh Willoughby
Sea captain. Looking for a trade route, the North-East Passage, a 3 ship expedition set sail, from Harwich, with Willoughby in charge and captain of the 'Bona Esperanza'. The Esperanza and the 'Bo...
John Handford
Role on the lost expedition: Able seaman on SS Terror. See John Franklin.
Thomas Hartnell
Role on the lost expedition: Able seaman on SS Erebus. See John Franklin.
Previously viewed
St Marys Newington - Middleton
SE1, Newington Butts, Garden
Three churches and two clock towers have been built on this site, but nothing remains today. A modern information board (which you can se...
Marylebone Station
A Central London railway terminus and London Underground complex, designed by Henry William Braddock. Originally it was the London terminus of the former Great Central Railway, and is now the Londo...
Arsenal Football Club
Founded by munitions workers in Woolwich, under the name 'Dial Square'. This was the name of the Royal Arsenal complex where they worked, and also explains the team's nickname of 'The Gunners'. The...
Washington Irving
W1, Argyll Street, 8
Greater London Council Washington Irving, 1783 - 1859, American writer, lived here.
Enid Blyton - Dulwich
SE22, Lordship Lane, 354
This plaque is located at the site of Blyton's birthplace, presumably the house that was here before this interwar arcade went up.
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