1771-1806

Scottish Explorer and Surgeon

Mungo Park was a Scottish surgeon best known for his explorations in Africa. In two expeditions he navigated large parts of the Niger River, writing a popular book between these journeys. Unfortunately, his second expedition ended disastrously, leading to the death of all members.

Mungo Park was born near the English-Scottish border in 1771. He studied medicine at the University of Edinburgh, graduating as a surgeon in 1791. He was then named an assistant surgeon on the Worcester, which sailed for Sumatra in 1792. During this journey he made many important observations about Sumatran plant and animal life, winning the respect of many British naturalists. This was sufficient to earn him command of a small expedition into Africa, which had the aim of following the Niger River as far as possible.

Park left Britain in May 1795 and, upon his arrival in Gambia, studied the...