Matthew Henson's Life

Life of Matthew Henson

Period: Jan 1, 1850 to Jan 1, 1976

Birth

Aug 8, 1866

Born in Charles County, Maryland.

Sailed the Seven Seas

Jan 1, 1879

Went to sea as a cabin boy at only 13 years old.

Joined Peary

Jan 1, 1887

Joined Robert Peary as his valet while exploring and mapping Nicaragua.

North Pole

Apr 6, 1909

Henson and Peary reach the North Pole.

Medal of Merit

Jan 1, 1945

Received the U.S. Navy Medal of Merit, but was not invited to attend the presentation ceremony because he was black.

Invited to Whitehouse

Jan 1, 1954

Invited to the White House where he met President Dwight D. Eisenhower.

Death

Mar 9, 1955

Henson dies at age 88.

First Black honored by Maryland

Jan 1, 1961

State of Maryland places a plaque at its statehouse in honor of Henson. It was the first southern state to so honor any black citizen.