John Hanning Speke was an English explorer and soldier who is best known for his exploration of Africa and his discovery of the source of the Nile River. He was born in 1827 in Devon, England, and was the eldest of seven children. He was educated at Winchester College and the Royal Military Academy at Woolwich, and in 1844 he joined the British Army as an ensign in the Bengal Native Infantry.
Speke's first expedition to Africa was in 1854, when he joined the British East India Company's expedition to Somaliland. He was part of a small group of British officers who were sent to explore the region and to establish diplomatic relations with the local tribes. During this expedition, Speke was able to make a number of important geographical discoveries, including the source of the Jubba River.
In 1856, Speke was part of a larger expedition to East Africa, led by Richard Burton. The expedition was intended to explore the interior of the continent and to search for the source of the Nile River. During this expedition, Speke and Burton became the first Europeans to visit Lake Tanganyika, and Speke was the first to identify it as the source of the Nile.
In 1858, Speke returned to England and published his book, Journal of the Discovery of the Source of the Nile. The book was an immediate success and made Speke a celebrity. He was awarded a gold medal by the Royal Geographical Society and was made a Fellow of the Society.
In 1860, Speke returned to Africa to continue his exploration of the continent. He was accompanied by James Grant and they explored the region around Lake Victoria, which Speke identified as the source of the Nile. He also explored the region around Lake Albert and Lake Edward, and was the first European to visit the mountain range now known as the Rwenzori Mountains.
In 1863, Speke returned to England and published his second book, What Led to the Discovery of the Source of the Nile. This book was even more successful than his first and made Speke a household name. He was awarded a second gold medal by the Royal Geographical Society and was made a Companion of the Order of the Bath.
Speke's final expedition to Africa was in 1864, when he was sent to explore the region around Lake Tanganyika. During this expedition, Speke became the first European to visit the mountain range now known as the Ruwenzori Mountains. He also explored the region around Lake Victoria and was able to confirm that it was indeed the source of the Nile.
Speke died in 1864, shortly after returning from his final expedition. He was buried in England, and his grave can be found in the churchyard of St. Mary's Church in Devon.
Speke's legacy lives on today, as his discoveries and explorations of Africa have had a lasting impact on the continent. His books are still widely read and his name is still remembered as one of the greatest explorers of all time. He is remembered as a brave and determined explorer who was willing to risk his life in order to make important geographical discoveries.