David Livingstone

David Livingstone (March 19, 1813 – May 1, 1873) was a Scottish missionary and explorer of the Victorian era, now best remembered because of his meeting with Henry Morton Stanley which gave rise to the popular quotation, "Dr. Livingstone, I presume."

Victoria Falls

In the period 1852–56, he explored the interior, and was the first European to see Victoria Falls (which he named after his monarch, Queen Victoria). Livingstone was one of the first Westerners to make a transcontinental journey across Africa. The purpose of his journey was to open trade routes, while accumulating useful information about the African continent. In particular, Livingstone was a proponent of trade and missions to be established in central Africa. His motto, inscribed in the base of the statue to him at Victoria Falls, was "Christianity, Commerce and Civilization."

Related Topics:
1852 - 56 - Victoria Falls - Victoria

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At this time he believed the key to achieving these goals was the navigation of the Zambesi River. He returned to England to try to garner support for his ideas, and to publish a book on his travels. At this time he resigned from the missionary society to which he had belonged.

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