Mary Henrietta Kingsley 1862 – 1900
English ethnographer, writer, explorer.
13 October 1862 – 3 June 1900
Education
Never attended school (as she was a girl) although her brother was privately educated. However, took advantage of her father’s library which was well stocked with travel, natural science and science books.
Learned German when assisting her father with his anthropological work.
Some Key Achievements and Interests
Studied under Dr Albert Günther, Keeper of Zoology at the British Museum, who assisted her in the preparations for her travels. (At this time Dr Günther was based at the South Kensington branch – opened 1881- of the British Museum.)
August 1893 Began her first journey to West Africa showing great courage as a single woman travelling unchaperoned but having made careful preparations and hopeful of collecting unusual samples from the natural world.
December 1894 Began her second journey, aiming to write of her experience, once more displaying great bravery in the face of challenges from different fronts (eg weather, exploring untrodden paths and being a sole female).
September 1895 Climbed the active volcano, Mount Cameroon, travelling the 13,250 feet using a new route never before taken by a European.
1897 Published Travels in West Africa and, in 1899, West African Studies recounting her travels and findings about the culture and wildlife she witnessed. She also expressed her criticism of western interference in traditional ways of life. These works reached wide audiences.
1898 Became a Fellow of the Royal Anthropological Institute.
1990 Volunteered as a nurse in South Africa during the Second Boer War.
Participated in lecture tours around Britain, including to the Scottish and the Liverpool Geographical Societies.
Established contacts with intellectuals, colonialists, representatives of the trading fraternity, and members of the Colonial Office; came to exercise considerable influence within political circles, particularly in regard to debates surrounding the administration of Britain’s West African colonies.
Became the first woman to address both the Liverpool and Manchester Chambers of Commerce.
Her views were oppositional but retained conservative and traditional imperialist values. Supported “the African principle,” the idea of “the government of Africa by Africans.” Created the ‘Third Party,’ with John Holt and Edmund Morel, rejecting imperialist ideas about Africans as incapable of advancement without British rule as well as missionary approaches.
Following her death, her friends founded the African Society that she had previously proposed, in order to publicise African laws and customs and promote better understanding.
Boulenger, George Albert, 1858-1937, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Issues
Faced barriers in education as a woman.
Had to care for her parents when ill in the latter years of their relatively short lives. Both died in 1892.
Was continually confronted with expectations of ladylike behaviour and strove to counterbalance her ‘unwomanly’ image.
Initially at lectures had men read out her paper before gaining the confidence to address audiences herself though still continually aware of expectations of her as a woman.
Considered women were different and their differences ones to be respected but was opposed to the suffragette movement.
Held controversial views on the system of British rule in Africa and attempts to Europeanise Africans offering alterative systems.
Suffered at times from overwork and the harsh demands of her travels.
Died in South Africa aged only 37 from typhoid contracted nursing prisoners taken by the British in the Boer War.
Connection to Bloomsbury
Frequented the British Museum when in London. First ticket to the Reading Room issued 1893.
Lived at times in Bloomsbury.
Made valuable contributions to the British Museum’s collections.
Female Networks
Agnes Smith Lewis, Alice Stopford Green, Lucy Toulmin Smith, Mary Slessor, Vernon Lee.
Works
Including articles in periodicals such as The Spectator and The National Review.
1897 Travels in West Africa.
1899 West African Studies.
Legacy
The Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine founded an honorary medal in her name.
Further Reading