# Matthew Henson — A Negro Explorer at the North Pole character guide > Matthew Henson in A Negro Explorer at the North Pole by Matthew Henson. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Henson, Matt Henson, Matthew A. Henson, Matt **First appearance:** 0002-a-negro-explorer-at-the-north-pole ## Snapshot Orphaned cabin-boy turned able seaman who became Peary's indispensable Arctic assistant, and the narrator determined to tell his own story. ## Who they are Born free in Charles County, Maryland, in 1866 and orphaned at seven, Henson went to sea as a cabin-boy bound for China before he was grown, then spent four years sailing the world as an able-bodied seaman. When he met Peary in Washington in 1888, he recognized the qualities that made him willing to serve — and stayed through every expedition since 1891, in a role called 'assistant' that covered a multitude of duties, abilities, and responsibilities. His narrative is both expedition log and quiet corrective: the man the world barely knew, insisting on his place in the record. ## In the story ### [A Negro Explorer at the North Pole](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_negro_explorer_at_the_north_pole_se/chapters/a-negro-explorer-at-the-north-pole) Narrator and key explorer, reflecting on his role and experiences. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_negro_explorer_at_the_north_pole_se/chapters/i) Narrator and author; born in Charles County, Maryland, August 8, 1866; attended N Street School in Washington, D.C.; shipped as cabin-boy and became able-bodied seaman; met Commander Peary in 1888 and served as his body-servant and assistant on multiple Arctic expeditions. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_negro_explorer_at_the_north_pole_se/chapters/ii) Narrator and key expedition member, busy with trading, hunting, and managing Eskimos. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_negro_explorer_at_the_north_pole_se/chapters/iii) Narrates the chapter; works on sledges, trades with Inuit, and reflects on his 42nd birthday. ### [Preparing for Winter at Cape Sheridan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_negro_explorer_at_the_north_pole_se/chapters/iv) Narrator and observer; describes his duties and personal effects aboard the Roosevelt. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_negro_explorer_at_the_north_pole_se/chapters/v) Narrator and builder of the new sledges; leads a hunting party and reflects on the hardships of Arctic life. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_negro_explorer_at_the_north_pole_se/chapters/vi) Narrator; built over two dozen sledges, went on two hunting trips, and observed the Eskimo families. ### [VII Sledging to Cape Columbia](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_negro_explorer_at_the_north_pole_se/chapters/vii) Narrator and leader of a sledge party; performs soldering of alcohol tins in extreme cold; keeps a diary of the journey. ### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_negro_explorer_at_the_north_pole_se/chapters/viii) Narrator and key organizer at Cape Columbia; teaches tricks for keeping warm, builds igloos, and performs dances to keep blood circulating. ### [Ready for the Dash to the Pole](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_negro_explorer_at_the_north_pole_se/chapters/ix) Narrates the chapter, describes his own movements and observations, including helping build an igloo for Dr. Goodsell and retrieving supplies with his dog team. ### [Forward! March!](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_negro_explorer_at_the_north_pole_se/chapters/x) Ordered to take the lead with his three Eskimo boys at half past six in the morning. ### [Fighting Up the Polar Sea—Held Up by the 'Big Lead'](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_negro_explorer_at_the_north_pole_se/chapters/xi) Narrator and lead sledge driver; repairs his own sledge and later Ootah's and Kudlooktoo's; reconnoiters leads and pushes forward despite exhaustion. ### [Pioneering the Way](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_negro_explorer_at_the_north_pole_se/chapters/xii) Narrator and pioneer; leads the forward party with his dog team, repairs sledges, and drives the expedition onward despite extreme cold and dangerous ice. ### [Chapter XIII: The Final Supporting Parties Turn Back](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_negro_explorer_at_the_north_pole_se/chapters/xiii) Narrator and trail-breaker; relieved to learn he will continue north; reads his Bible before sleep. ### [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_negro_explorer_at_the_north_pole_se/chapters/xiv) Leads his party following Bartlett's trail, describes the hardships of the march, and the killing of a dog that fell into a lead. ### [The Pole!](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_negro_explorer_at_the_north_pole_se/chapters/xv) Narrator and key navigator; gauges distances and endures the final march alongside Peary. ### [The Return Journey](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_negro_explorer_at_the_north_pole_se/chapters/xvi) Describes his own gaunt, aged appearance in the mirror, but notes his eyes still twinkle; reflects on the shared ordeal. ### [Safe on the Roosevelt—Poor Marvin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_negro_explorer_at_the_north_pole_se/chapters/xvii) Returns to the Roosevelt exhausted, learns of Marvin's death, and begins recovery. ### [XVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_negro_explorer_at_the_north_pole_se/chapters/xviii) Spends nearly three weeks in idleness before Peary orders him to build and repair sledges; goes on short hunting trips but never leaves the ship for long. ### [The Roosevelt Starts for Home](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_negro_explorer_at_the_north_pole_se/chapters/xix) Narrates the chapter, describing the journey, dog fights, and Eskimo settlements. ### [Two Narrow Escapes — Arrival at Etah — Harry Whitney — Dr. Cook's Claims](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_negro_explorer_at_the_north_pole_se/chapters/xx) Narrates the chapter; narrowly avoids being hit by the same bullet that wounds MacMillan; goes ashore at Etah and interviews Dr. Cook's Eskimo companions. ### [XXI Etah to New York — Coming of mail and reporters — Home!](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_negro_explorer_at_the_north_pole_se/chapters/xxi) Narrates the final leg of the journey, sews a white bar with 'North Pole' onto an American flag, and expresses longing for the Arctic. ### [Appendix I: Notes on the Eskimos](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_negro_explorer_at_the_north_pole_se/chapters/appendix-i-notes-on-the-eskimos) Author of the appendix, providing first-hand observations of Eskimo life and customs. ### [List of Illustrations](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_negro_explorer_at_the_north_pole_se/chapters/list-of-illustrations) Featured in an illustration titled 'Matthew Henson in his North Pole furs, taken after his return to civilization'. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_negro_explorer_at_the_north_pole_se/characters/matthew_henson - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_negro_explorer_at_the_north_pole_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_negro_explorer_at_the_north_pole_se/characters