Science, Navigation and Medicine
David Livingstone’s life coincided with a time brimming with scientific, geographical and medical discoveries.
After formal medical training David left Britain for Africa to set up a series of medical missions.
The young Scot explored vast areas of southern and central Africa using specialist equipment to navigate and map the terrain. As he travelled, his medical skills were regularly put to good use. His ability to help and treat local people often allowed him safe passage through difficult territory.
He also recorded evidence of the region’s vast natural resources in order to encourage other Europeans to settle and establish trading and mission stations. Little did he realise that his work would later be used to justify the – ‘Scramble for Africa’ – the mass colonisation of the continent by European powers.
Objects in our collection also attest to the skills and expertise of David’s contemporaries including his father-in-law and fellow missionary Robert Moffat, and translator Selim Hishmey.
Select from the images below to learn more.
