John Hanning Speke

John Hanning Speke was a British explorer in the 19th century known for his significant exploration of Africa's interior. He aimed to find the source of the Nile River, which was a major mystery at the time. In 1862, he identified Lake Victoria as the river's origin, a discovery that contributed to European understanding of Africa’s geography. Speke's explorations helped map parts of East Africa, but he also faced controversy and rivalry, notably with David Livingstone. His work advanced European knowledge of Africa but also sparked debates about exploration ethics and imperial interests.