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From Noiser and Airship, I'm Lindsey Graham and this is History. Daily history is made every day on this podcast. Every day we tell the true stories of the people and events that shaped our world. Today is November 10, 1871. Dr. Livingstone is found alive in Africa. It's January 1840, inside a dingy boarding house in London. 27 year old Dr. David Livingston pushes his way through a crowded dining hall. Like the other young men in this boarding house, David is training to become a missionary. He believes Christianity is the cornerstone of civilization and that it's his God given duty to spread the gospel through the farthest flung corners of the globe. But it's not just religious zeal that motivates David. He is also thrilled by the prospect of adventure. He's heard other missionaries speak about their travels to the Americas and the Far east, about voyaging deep into the mountains of China or the jungles of Brazil, and David's eyes light up whenever he hears their enthralling tales. Today, the trainees in the boarding house have come to listen to an older missionary deliver a sermon. Robert Moffitt has just returned from South Africa, where he has established a mission station in the remote village of Kuraman. David elbows his way to the front of the crowd and listens with rapt attention as Robert describes the rewarding nature of missionary work and the awe inspiring beauty of the African landscape. David leans in close when Robert starts speaking about the sprawling savannah to the north of the village where no missionary has ever stepped foot. A shiver of excitement shoots down David's spine when he pictures himself blazing a trail through this uncharted territory, bringing Christianity to the remotest parts of Africa. And not long after he finishes his training, David enthusiastically signs up to the London Missionary Society's next expedition to South Africa. In December 1840, he and two other missionaries board a passenger ship bound for Cape Town. It's a long, grueling voyage, but David makes good use of it, spending his time teaching himself setswana, a native South African language. Finally, in the summer of 1841, David arrives at his destination. After a trek through the mountains, the missionaries reach the village of Kuraman, where the London Missionary Society's outpost is located. David pauses to take in the sight. Trails of smoke drift from the chimneys of mud brick houses. Springboks and impalas drink from a watering hole, while multi colored birds of paradise watch from the branches of the surrounding baobab trees. It couldn't be further from David's drab upbringing in a working class corner of Scotland. Soon David is throwing himself into missionary work. But as the weeks pass, he finds himself obsessing over the unexplored lands to the north where no European has set foot. Eventually, David plucks up the courage to request permission to establish a mission station in this uncharted territory. After receiving the go ahead from the senior missionaries, David leads a small expedition north. Along the way, he overcomes animal attacks and suspicious locals to establish a thriving mission in Botswana. But David's ambition is not satisfied. He has already helped Christianity establish roots in Africa. Now he wants to promote what he believes is the next logical stage of civilization, Christian commerce. He wants to establish trading routes into the African interior, bringing a flow of goods to the remote reaches of the continent. And by offering merchants other commercial opportunities in Africa, David also hopes to undercut the Atlantic slave trade, A practice he finds morally reprehensible. In 1853, 12 years after setting foot in Africa, David and his small team of guides set off from Botswana up the Zambezi River. After an arduous six month journey, they reach the Atlantic Ocean, thus opening up a trading route into the African interior. But this discovery only motivates David to explore further. He doubles back and follows the Zambezi river all the way to the Indian Ocean. On the opposite coast one afternoon, David encounters a spectacular waterfall. A place where the river cascades into a gorge in thunderous explosions of smoke like spray. He names the place Victoria Falls in honor of Britain's Queen. The following year, David returns to England where fame awaits him. By now news of the missionaries exploits have captured the imagination of the British public. As the first Briton to venture into the heart of Africa, David has become a national hero and celebrity. He is elected to the prestigious Royal Society and a written account of his expeditions quickly becomes a bestseller. He embarks on a nationwide speaking tour, using his newfound platform to promote commercial opportunities in Africa and publicly criticize the slave trade. In 1857, the British government commissions David to return to Africa to lead another expedition up the Zambezi to establish trading bases along the river's banks. With a budget of £5,000, a team of British experts and a cutting edge steamship, this is by far the most sophisticated voyage David has ever undertaken. But almost immediately things start going wrong. The steamship proves too large to navigate the Zambezi's shallow waters, delaying the expedition while they send for a new vessel. And even when the new ship arrives, they constantly encounter waterfalls and rapids forcing them to turn around and and search for other routes. As provisions run low, arguments break out between the men resulting in several individuals being sent home. In 1862, David's wife Mary joins the expedition. But shortly after her arrival on the mosquito plagued river, Mary dies from malaria. One year later, the British government recalls the expedition and David returns to England with his reputation in tatters and his heart hardened by grief. Many expect the aging explorer to retire, but David has no intention of calling it quits. Soon he will announce his plan to return to Africa, embarking on his boldest expedition yet. A mission to discover something long thought beyond the reach of even the most intrepid adventurer. The elusive source of the River Nile. It's a high stakes risk. If David succeeds, his reputation will be restored. But if he fails, he could lose everything, including his life. History Daily is sponsored by. Indeed my business is a bit peculiar. There are way more ordinary ways to make a living than podcasting for sure. But when it comes to hiring though, the skills are different. The needs are the same for any business. You need specific experience, a set of talents unique to your business and a match for your culture. 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