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
John Morfin
Role on the lost expedition: Able seaman on SS Erebus. See John Franklin.
John Bailey
Role on the lost expedition: Able seaman on SS Terror. See John Franklin.
George Nathaniel Curzon, Marquess Curzon of Kedleston
Born Kedleston Hall, Derbyshire. Viceroy of India. Successful Foreign Secretary. Disappointed not to have become Prime Minster. Died in London.
Captain, Sir John Franklin
Born Lincolnshire. Royal Navy. Governor of Tasmania 1836-43. where there is also a statue. Left England in 1845 leading an expedition of 2 ships, HMS Erebus and HMS Terror, to voyage the last unnav...
Thomas Johnson
Role on the lost expedition: Petty officer on SS Terror. See John Franklin.
Previously viewed
William Frederick Woodington, ARA
William Frederick Woodington was born on 10 February 1806 at Sutton Coldfield, Warwickshire, the eighth of the ten children of Thomas Woodington (1767-1819) and Elizabeth Woodington née Styan. On 3...
6 Burlington Gardens - Hume
W1, Burlington Gardens, 6
There are 22 statues on the façade of this building. Each is labelled with his (always 'his') surname. There are 12 at the top up against...
Great Exhibition - Hyde Park - SE
SW7, South Carriage Drive
See the plaque at the entrance for more information about these 5 plaques.
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