3-057-043 - Heritage Art/Heritage Images

Commander Verney Lovett Cameron, explorer, 1878. In 1872, Cameron was appointed commander of an expedition to Africa with the objective of locating David Livingstone, and then carrying out exploration based on Livingstone's advice. However, after arriving in Africa, the expedition learned that Livingstone was dead. Cameron then determined to attempt to make the first complete crossing of the continent by a European. Despite considerable hardships, this objective was achieved, covering a distance of nearly 3000 miles on foot between the eastern and western shores, and discovering the sources of the Zambezi in the process. In 1876 he returned to Britain to considerable acclaim and a promotion to the rank of Commander, and wrote an account of his travels entitled "Across Africa". Cameron later undertook further expeditions to Asia, and to West Africa with Richard Burton.