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Top 10 Interesting Facts about David Livingstone

Livingstone was born on 19th March 1913. His birth place is Mill town of Blantyre, Scotland. He was married to Mary Moffat.

Later in life, he was employed in a cotton mill of Henry Monteith & Co in Blantyre.

His reading skills developed from his brother Neil Livingstone who was a Sunday school teacher. More importantly, he traveled door-to-door as a tea salesman.

The history of African continent has a good memory of the Scottish missionary. He is known to be the first white man to set his eyes on the great falls at the border of Zimbabwe and Zambia. He called the falls Victoria falls a name that was established even currently.

Being the greatest explore who lived in the 1800s. Of importance to note is that he was a doctor, abolitionist and explorer. His mission to Africa was to bring Christianity, commerce and civilization.  

David Livingstone spread the good news of the bible.  This is evident by the status found across Africa. More importantly, he walked on foot to explore Africa.

Livingstone was focused on making discoveries to light the world about Africa. His discoveries included Victoria Falls, Zambezi, source of River Nile, education, healthcare and trade.

His expedition was recognized as there is a hotel named after him on the Zambian side of the falls. The hotel is called Royal Livingstone Hotel.

However, Livingstone had not intended to come to Africa. The Opium War in China made his plan change hence he didn’t travel to China, rather, he traveled to Africa.

What’s more, Livingstone did not achieve much as a missionary. This lack of achievement saw him reign from the London Missionary Society who had sent him out as a missionary.

1. He lead an easy Life

Among the many things that made Livingstone famous was the fact that he led a very easy life. He interacted with the Africans ensuring that their culture was his  life.

This way, he was able to win their trust, hence they slowly abandoned their traditions and adopted his. This was more so in terms of attending to the sick as a doctor and bible teaching.

2. He Explored Africa on Foot

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He took the risk to explore Africa. He pressed on despite the dangers he encountered. This was to ensure that all the  discoveries he made, enlightened the Western World about Africa.

Among his discoveries was the source of Nile River. This was founded on the belief that Livingstone could solve the East Africa Arab-Swahili slave trade. Further, he was in record in exploring the central Africa watershed.

Livingstone inspired abolitionists of the slave trade, explorers and missionaries. Most importantly, his exploration opened up Central Africa to missionaries who initiated the education and healthcare for Africans.

Further, he initiated trade by the African Lakes Company. Above all, his opened the African Christian Missionary for European in Africa.

3. Center in honor of David Livingstone

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The center was built in honor of Dr. David Livingstone. The achievements of this great man were to be put together for everyone to recognize his efforts to discover Africa.

Many years later, there is a memory of Livingstone where generations have learnt the great work of a courageous navigator.

4. Memorial, Monuments and Status

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Among the greatest memorials in the world is Dr. David Livingstone. His memorials are in the following places. The Livingstone Memorial in Ilala, Zambia, the city of livingstone, Zambia. 

The pioneer Research Institute called The Rhodes-Livingstone Institute in Livingston, Lusaka Zambia. Also at David Livingstone Teachers’ Training College, Livingstone, Zambia. This was unveiled in November 2005.

The memorial at Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe called the David Livingstone Memorial statue. Again at Makerere University, Kampala in Uganda Livingstone, Men’s hall of residence named after him.

In Malawi, Blantyre was named after his birthplace back in Scotland. There are David Livingstone Scholarships for students not able to pay fees at the University of Malawi. These were funded through Strathclyde University, Scotland.

Moreover, the Kipengere Range in south-west Tanzania are called Livingstone Mountains. River Congo has his name at the falls called Livingstone Falls. A Baptist mission in Congo is named after him The Livingstone Inland Mission.

There is one memorial that cannot go with being mentioned, the Ujiji memorial where he met with Stanley. In Burundi we have the Livingston-Stanley Monument a place called Mugere.

Other places that a memorial or status of Livingstone stand include Scotland, his home country, Molepolole, Gaborone in Botswana, Zanzibar,  Tanzania, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe.

5. Had a Vision for Africa

Gutzlaff was a missionary who picked Livingstone as a missionary. He was to be sent to China but there were wars which hindered the mission. Again he was to be sent to West Indies rather than South Africa.

However, he ended up being sent to South Africa as a missionary. His focus to treat all en the same was et with opposition from the British settlers and the Boers.

Eventually, he left South Africa and walked 750 miles (1,21km) together with artisan missionary Roger Edwards. He settled at Mabotsa in Botswana.

6. He disagreed with his Employer (LMS)

The vision of his employer, London Missionary Society was not achieved as he resigned from the organization when he came to Africa.

This was because he believed that his call to serve was in exploration in terms of having trade contacts particularly to end slave trade.

However, the vision for the organization that he represented was to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ.

7. Great Author and Campaigner

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On his return to Britain in 1856, Livingstone’s work in Africa was recognized by both the London Missionary Society and the Government. This own his a gold medal in Royal Geographical Society.

9. The Cure for Malaria

Unexpectedly, Livingstone found the cure for a disease that was common in Africa and also killed more people. Because he was focused on exploration, he observed the connection between relapsing fever ad tick bites.

More importantly, he also studied the relationship between environment and diseases like pneumonia, typhoid, sleeping sickness, and dysentery.

Since he suffered some of these diseases, he worked hard to find the cure, hence, he was famous for getting the cure for malaria.

Unfortunately, he died of dysentery and malaria in May 1st, 1973.

10. He was Against Slave Trade

Livingstone lived a fulfilling life as an explorer, doctor and abolitionist.