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
1 memorial
William Reed
Role on the lost expedition: Royal marine on SS Erebus. See John Franklin.
1 memorial
Captain Robert Scott
Born Devonport. Royal Navy Antarctic explorer. With four companions, E.A. Wilson, H.R. Bowers, L.E.G. Oates, E. Evans, died returning from the South Pole, having been pipped at the post by Amundsen...
4 memorials
Amy Johnson
Pioneering pilot who was the first woman to fly solo from London to Australia. Flying solo or with her husband, Jim Mollison, she set many long-distance records during the 1930s. Born Yorkshire. ...
1 memorial
Alexander McDonald
Role on the lost expedition: Officer on SS Terror. See John Franklin.
1 memorial
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