Famous Explorers and Adventurers
Famous Explorers and Adventurers
Christopher Columbus (1446-1506) was born at Genoa and went to sea when he was fourteen. After many disappointments he was enabled by Ferdinand and Isabella of Spain to pursue his idea of reaching india by sailing westward. With three small ships he set out and discovered the Bahamas. He made three subsequent voyages on the third of which in 1498 he landed on the low lands of south america. He died at Valladolid in spain.
Grace Horsley Darling (1815-1842) was the daughter of the lighthouse keeper on one of the Farne Islands. By her heroic deed on September 7th ,1838, in putting out in a small boat tho the rescue of the crew of the Forfarshire, she saved the lives of nine survivors from the wreck. She died of consumption at the age of twenty seven , four years later.
Charles Robert Darwin(1809-1882) was a Naturalist and scientist. His first book described research in geology and natural history made on a five year voyage of exploration in the South Seas. In 1859 his Origin of Species was an outstanding contribution to scientific thought and led to a new approach ot the study of evolution. Darwin’s other books include The Descent of Man which traces the origin of man to an extinct animal related to the orang-utang, the chimpanzee and the gorilla. He is buried in Westminster Abbey.
Guiseppe Garibaldi (1807-1882) was a famous italian patriot who fought for the freedom of his country. He was forced to flee to South America, where he aided the struggle for liberation of the young republics. Returning to Italy, he joined the republican movement and took part in the defence of Rome against France, but after the defeat of the republican forces, he emigrated to America. He was in italy when war broke out in 1859, and was given a command, winning several battles against the Austrians. In the following years, with thousands of volunteers, he completed the liberation of his country.
Kublai Khan(1216-1294) was a famous mongol emperor who was the grandson of Genghis Khan. By his conquests he built up an empire, which included Russia and covered the Asian continent except India, Arabia, and Asia Minor. He fostered learning and religion and ruled wisely, encouraging the adoption of Chinese civilization throughout his realms.
Doctor David Livingstone(1813-1873) was a remarkable Scottish explorer. He became a doctor and in 1840 went to Africa, where he spent many years in exploration and also worked as a missionary. He traced the course of the Zambezi River and its tributaries and discovered Lake Nyasa. He set out to discover the sources of the Nile, but his energies failed him and he died at a village near Lake Bangweulu. His body was brought back to England and buried in Westminster Abbey.
Marco Polo(1254-1323) was born in Venice and he went as a youth with his father and uncle to the court of the great Khan the emperor of china. After extensive travels through Persia, Afghanistan and norther Tibet, returning via the Malay Peninsula and Ceylon, the travellers reached Venice twenty four years later. Marco Polo’s account of his journeys was at first disbelieved. His remarkable travels brought to Europe the earliest tidings of the Eastern worlds.