David Livingstone was a Scottish explorer, missionary, and medical doctor who is best known for his explorations of Africa. He was born on March 19, 1813 in Blantyre, Scotland, to a poor family. His father was a mill worker and his mother was a teacher. Livingstone was the second of seven children.
Livingstone was a bright student and was able to attend school at the age of 10. He was a hard worker and was able to attend the University of Glasgow at the age of 18. He studied medicine and theology and graduated in 1838. After graduation, he became a missionary and traveled to South Africa.
Livingstone's first mission was to the Bechuanaland Protectorate, now known as Botswana. He was sent to spread Christianity and to help improve the lives of the people living there. He was successful in his mission and was able to build a church and a school. He also helped to improve the health of the people by introducing modern medicine.
Livingstone's next mission was to explore the African continent. He wanted to find the source of the Nile River and to open up the continent to trade. He set out on his first expedition in 1849 and traveled through the Kalahari Desert and the Zambezi River. He was the first European to cross the Kalahari Desert and to reach the Zambezi River.
Livingstone's explorations of Africa continued for the next 20 years. He traveled through the Congo, Angola, and Zambia. He was the first European to see the Victoria Falls and to explore Lake Malawi. He also discovered Lake Tanganyika and the source of the Nile River.
Livingstone's explorations of Africa were not without danger. He was attacked by natives and suffered from malaria and other illnesses. He was also attacked by slave traders and was nearly killed. Despite these dangers, Livingstone continued his explorations and was able to open up the continent to trade.
Livingstone's explorations of Africa made him famous in Europe and he was celebrated as a hero. He was awarded the Royal Geographical Society's Gold Medal and was made a Fellow of the Royal Society. He was also knighted by Queen Victoria in 1864.
Livingstone's explorations of Africa were not only important for trade, but also for science. He was able to collect a large amount of data on the geography, climate, and people of Africa. He also wrote extensively about his travels and his observations of the continent.
Livingstone died in 1873 while on an expedition to find the source of the Nile River. His body was brought back to England and buried in Westminster Abbey. He is remembered as one of the greatest explorers of all time and his legacy lives on in the many books and films about his life and explorations.