Matthew Henson Left First Footprints On North Pole

Matthew Henson explored the Arctic, among other places. An African American born to free sharecroppers in 1866, Henson was not like other explorers who had financial backing and publicity machines behind them. Despite this, Henson, who accompanied Peary, is widely credited as the first American to leave footprints at the North Pole in 1909.

At the time, a heated controversy erupted between naval officer Robert E. Peary and New York physician Frederick A. Cook for first dibs on the geographic top of the world. But in his 1912 autobiography, A Negro Explorer at the North Pole, Henson tells his story of sheer backbone, determination, skill and endurance.

Following are a few Glacier Melting details about Matthew Henson’s path to the North Pole.

Matthew Henson: four Inuit guides on the last stretch of their 1908–09 expedition, taken by Peary at what they believed to be the North Pole. Image: Wikipedia; Scanned by: Retouched by: DT-PKQC’d by: DT-MB

Matthew Henson: Comfortable In In His Work Clothes1910. Image: Library of Congress.

Matthew Henson: “Only American To Step Foot on The North Pole, by Charles Alston; 1943. Image: National Archives.

Matthew Henson: Four Inuits Who Reached N.Pole With Henson and Peary. Image: From Henson’s Book/The Mariners’ Marine Park.

For Starters, Planting A Flag On The Exact North Pole Is Tricky

While the South Pole sits on a landmass where a flag can be secured, the North Pole is in a mighty sea covered by floating ice. According to Beyond Penguins, locating its exact location can be illusive.

“Since the ice is constantly in motion, planting a flag or otherwise marking the spot is futile. In addition, magnetic compasses are rendered useless in the polar regions due to the magnetic field at the poles.” (Beyond Penguins)

Adding to the complications, while the location is defined as the northernmost point on earth, the geographic North Pole does not coincide with the magnetic North Pole. Imagine locating this point without the aid of GPS and other modern technology.

Arctic Explorers relied on navigational tools and meticulous notes in their expedition logs. All of these realities fueled the controversy over who reached the North Pole first.

Matthew Henson: In His Arctic Furs, c. early 1900s. Image: Wikipedia.

Matthew Henson: Roosevelt in winter quarters at Cape Sheridan. Image: From Henson’s Book/The Mariners’ Marine Park.

Matthew Henson: Robert. E. Peary, c. 1909. Image: The Ohio State University Archives, Cook Society Collection.

The North Pole Gained Mythical Qualities

In the late 1800s and early 1900s, several highly publicized Arctic expeditions to the Arctic captivated the public’s imagination. Among them:

-1898, 1899, 1906, 1907: Albert I (Prince of Monaco) and Princess Alice lead four.

-1900–1903: Russian expedition led by Eduard Toll.

-1901–1902: Baldwin-Ziegler Polar Expedition led by Evelyn Baldwin.

-1891-1909: Among the most exciting were seven mounted by Robert E. Peary with his indispensible aid, Matthew Henson.

The North Pole was a robust news topic. But the region remained largely in the realm of the unknown, lending it a mythical quality in the minds and hearts of readers.

Adding to its aura, Christmas and its leading man were taking shape as the holiday we know today. Thomas Nast’s illustration in Harper’s Weekly magazine in1866 cemented Santa Claus’s address at the North Pole.

“Being at the very top of the globe–90º N–surrounded by ice that’s only penetrable two months a year, the actual North Pole is challenging, but possible, to access.”(Beyond Penguins)

Hence, it seemed like a good place for Santa to hang his hat.

Matthew Henson: 82 N. Latitude, during the unsuccessful Ziegler polar expedition. 1903-1905. Image: Library of Congress.

Matthew Henson: Frederick Cook’s expedition; U.S. flag in igloo, allegedly at North Pole. 1909. Image: Wikipedia.

They Traveled Many Hard Roads Together

Over the next 19 years, they mounted eight arctic expeditions together. In an 1891 expedition to Greenland, Matthew Henson was essential when Peary broke his leg. Peary named Cape Henson, Greenland in his honor.

Peary and Henson returned to Greenland several times to survey the entire area. The conditions were treacherous with the expeditions costing them multiple injuries and the deaths of several men plus multiple dogs. Henson nearly died several times on these trips. He saved Peary’s twice.

In a 1939 interview with the Vineyard Gazette, Henson said:

“We traveled 1300 miles into the interior of Greenland. The temperature was from 68 to 72 degrees below zero. A little chilly, that weather up there. Finally all the men froze except Lee, Peary and myself and we had to return to take them back to headquarters.” (Vineyard Gazette, 1939)

On the second expedition to Greenland, heavy snow slowed them down until they nearly ran out of food. They were forced to eat their dogs for survival.

Both men experienced frostbite, with Peary losing most of the toes on one foot.

“Freezing some part of you is just like sticking it in a hot oven. It turns black and if it is froze bad enough it drops off…I froze my face a couple of times. First it felt like a lot of little pins sticking into me. Then it didn’t feel at all. Not ‘till it began to thaw out. That is the worst time of all.” (Vineyard Gazette, 1939)

Despite the dangers, they continued looking for possible paths to the North Pole. They found large meteorites, which they sold to fund future expeditions.

Matthew Henson integrated with the locals, fathering a child with an Inuit woman. He learned their language, customs and critical survival skills. He also became an expert dog sled driver.

Matthew Henson: Peary on Deck With Dogs.1907. Image: Wikipedia.

Matthew Henson: Polar Transport. Image: From Henson’s Book/The Mariners’ Marine Park.

Matthew Henson: Roosevelt beached for repairs at the head of Etah Fiord. Image: From Henson’s Book/The Mariners’ Marine Park.

The Heated Race To First Footsteps Melted Ice Bergs

In 1908 Matthew Henson and Robert E. Peary once again set sail on the Roosevelt. But Exactly what occurred when they reached the North Pole on April 6, 1909 was shrouded in mystery.

Robert E. Peary sent word from Indian Harbour, Labrador, to Mr. Gilbert H. Grosvenor, the Editor of the National Geographic Magazine. It was the official publication of the National Geographic Society which has given substantial aid to Peary’s expedition.

The cablegram read: “Have won out at last. The Pole is ours. With regards to yourself and Mrs. Grosvenor. (Signed) Peary.”(Library of Congress)

Peary was the official explorer who raised financing and publicity in the name of National Geographic. But Matthew Henson’s account differed.

In Henson’s 1939 interview the Vineyard Gazette writes:

“On April 6 the little group at last reached their goal. Mr. Henson who had been the leader all through that last expedition, and had gone ahead with the compass, arrived forty-five minutes before Peary and had his igloo built by the time the admiral arrived.” (Vineyard Gazette, 1939)

“On April 7,” he said, “I put in the flag, we all gave three cheers for Old Glory and started back to headquarters.” (Vineyard Gazette, 1939)

Expanding on Henson’s comments, Dr. Allen Counter writes in his1991 book North Pole Legacy: Black, White, and Eskimo:

“Henson maintained that he reached the Pole some forty-five minutes ahead of Peary after inadvertently disobeying the commander’s orders to stop short of what they judged to be the actual spot. There he was to wait so that Peary could travel on alone and lay claim to the honor of being the first person to stand at the North Pole. (North Pole Legacy: Black, White, and Eskimo)

Matthew Henson: Interview in Vineyard Gazette, March 25, 1939. Image: Vineyard Gazette.com.

Did Henson push ahead of Peary to leave the first footsteps on the North Pole? After all, Peary, a white explorer, would still receive full credit either way.

Mathew Henson wrote in his 1912 autobiography, A Negro Explorer at the North Pole:

“A thrill of patriotism ran through me and I raised my voice to cheer the starry emblem of my native land. It was about ten or ten-thirty a. m., on the 7th of April, 1909, that the Commander gave the order to build a snow-shield to protect him from the flying drift of the surface-snow. I knew that he was about to take an observation, and while we worked I was nervously apprehensive, for I felt that the end of our journey had come….

I was sure that he was satisfied, and I was confident that the journey had ended. Feeling that the time had come, I ungloved my right hand and went forward to congratulate him on the success of our eighteen years of effort…The Commander gave the word, “We will plant the stars and stripes—at the North Pole!” and it was done; on the peak of a huge paleocrystic floeberg the glorious banner was unfurled to the breeze, and as it snapped and crackled with the wind, I felt a savage joy and exultation.” (A Negro Explorer At The North Pole)

Henson’s final passage is bittersweet.

“To-day there is a more general knowledge of Commander Peary, his work and his success, and a vague understanding of the fact that Commander Peary’s sole companion from the realm of civilization, when he stood at the North Pole, was Matthew A. Henson, a Colored Man…” (A Negro Explorer At The North Pole)

Matthew Henson: A Negro Explorer at the North Pole-Book Cover, 1912. Image: Library of Congress.

By Matthew Henson’s accounts, Peary barely spoke to him on the journey home. Back in America, Peary received the majority of the credit for discovering the North Pole.

Matthew Henson. toured the country thrilling audiences with his Arctic adventures, dressed in his fur parkas, Liz Williams, Manager of Collections writes for the Mariners’ Museum and Park:

“Peary controlled what Matthew Henson said, the photographs he shared, and how often he spoke. He blamed it on the controversy with Cook while they worked to prove who really reached the North Pole first.” (Mariners’ Museum and Park)

Matthew Henson: Detroit Free Press Headline Of Peary’s Version of the North Pole. Image: Hushed Up History.com.

Matthew Henson: booklet, “At the Pole with Cook and Peary,” 1909. Image: The Ohio State University Archives, Frederick A. Cook Society Collection.

A Heated Controversy Erupted With Cook Over First Dibs

On September 7, 1909, the New York Times front-page headline read:

“Peary Discovers the North Pole After Eight Trials in 23 Years!”

A week earlier, the New York Herald had printed its front-page headline:

“The North Pole is Discovered by Dr. Frederick A. Cook.” Frederick A. Cook, a medical doctor from New York, announced that he and two Inuit companions had reached the North Pole on April 21, 1908. Cook, also an explorer, claimed that he and his two Inuit guides had been unable to return to mainland for several months due to drifting ice.

Ultimately, Peary was awarded the right to first dibs on the North Pole, in part because of his backing from the National Geographic Society.

Congress finally recognized Matthew Henson’s accomplishments at the North Pole in 1944, along with his Inuit guides, for being the first people to reach the North Pole.