James Augustus Grant

About James Augustus Grant

Scottish explorer James Augustus Grant was well-known for his journeys through northern Africa and is best remembered for his search for the source of the Nile. He also made contributions to the journals of learned institutions.

Early Years

He was an alumnus of Aberdeen Grammar School and Marischal College in Aberdeen He was commissioned into the British army in 1846 and fought in India during the 1857 Indian Mutiny and the Sikh Wars of the late 1840s.

Career

After his return to England, he took part in the illustrious voyage in 1860 with John Hanning Speke to locate the Nile's source. They eventually discovered Lake Victoria's outflow, from where the Nile emerged, after much struggle. The Royal Geographical Society honored him with a gold medal for his efforts.

He had kept a notebook throughout the expedition, detailing geographic landmarks and local customs; it was later published under the title "A Walk across Africa" (1864). During the Ethiopian expedition in 1868, he served in the intelligence division under Lord Napier. The explorer retired the same year with the rank of lieutenant colonel.

Personal Life

He had two sons and three daughters from his marriage to Margaret Laurie.

James Augustus Grant photo gallery

Title

Routes taken by expeditions of Burton and Speke and Grant and Speke. Burton and Speke explored from the east coast as far as Tanganyika and then returned. Speke took a side journey to Lake Victoria on the return journey. Speke and Grant journeyed from the east coast and via Lake Victoria returned up the river Nile. Note that the country names and boundaries are the modern ones not the names of the time and the boundaries would, obviously, be uncertain at that point.

Author

Rgclegg

Source

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:BurtonExploration.png

License

CC-BY-SA-3.0

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F.A.Q. about James Augustus Grant

When is his birthday?

James Augustus Grant's birthday is on April 11, 1827.

In how many days is his birthday?

James' birthday is in 359 days

How old was James when he died?

He was 64 years old.

When did he die?

He died in February 11, 1892.

How old would he be today?

James Augustus Grant would be 197 years old if he was alive today.

Where was James from?

He was born in Nairn, Scotland.