About

MATTHEW ALEXANDER HENSON

Matthew A. Henson Middle School was named in honor of Matthew Alexander Henson, who was co-discoverer of the North Pole and the first person in recorded history to set foot on the North Pole.  He was born in Nanjemoy, Charles County, Maryland, on August 8, 1866.

Henson served on expeditions with Admiral Robert E. Peary as his personal attendant and dogsled driver.  Henson was the only American who accompanied Peary when the explorers reached the North Pole in 1909.  Before his death in 1955 in New York City, Henson wrote A NEGRO EXPLORER AT THE NORTH POLE and lectured widely around the country.