David Livingstone
‘Dr Livingstone I presume?’
One of the most popular national heroes of Victorian Britain, David Livingstone was a famous missionary, doctor and explorer.
Born into poverty in Scottish slums, Livingstone transformed his life into one of adventure, charity and fame.
A missionary and a doctor, Livingstone spent most of his life in Africa treating the sick and preaching.
Witnessing brutality against slaves, he also campaigned fiercely against the trade in human beings.
Victorians were captivated by Livingstone’s terrifying adventures through unknown lands, where he was in near-constant danger.
His house was ransacked, he was attacked, he was often sick with fever, and yet he overcame all of these to become famous throughout the United Kingdom.
Among his adventures, Livingstone sought to find the source of the Nileā¦.
Thomas Hughes uses the diaries of Dr Livingstone and his colleagues to build up a picture of this great man and the famous Scottish explorer.
Thomas Hughes (1822-1896) was most famous for his novel Tom Brown’s School Days. He was an MP, judge and author of many works of non-fiction, including Alfred the Great. Hughes was a committed social reformer. One of his daughters, Lillian, died on the Titanic.