Matthew Henson, 1866 - 1955. The Sea Connects Us. During the era of whaling and beyond, New England vessels frequented the Arctic to engage in hunting and trade. Born in Maryland in 1866, African American seaman Matthew Henson signed on as cabin boy aboard the merchant ship Katie Hines. During his five years at sea, the captain taught him reading, writing, mathematics, and navigation. On his Arctic expedition with Naval Officer Robert E. Peary, Henson was the only American who learned to speak the Inuit language. He also learned indispensable survival skills such as catching food, building shelter, and handling dog teams that pulled sleds. Although Peary was awarded medals and promoted to Admiral after the expedition, Henson slipped into obscurity. In 1955, just before hid death, he was invited to the White House by President Eisenhower. In 2000, the National Geographic Society awarded him the prestigious Hubbard Award, the same award that Robert E. Peary received 93 years earlier. Henson is buried in Arlington National Cemetery outside Washington, DC.
During the era of whaling and beyond, New England vessels frequented the Arctic to engage in hunting and trade. Born in Maryland in 1866, African American seaman Matthew Henson signed on as cabin boy aboard the merchant ship Katie Hines. During his five years at sea, the captain taught him reading, writing, mathematics, and navigation. On his Arctic expedition with Naval Officer Robert E. Peary, Henson was the only American who learned to speak the Inuit language. He also learned indispensable survival skills such as catching food, building shelter, and handling dog teams that pulled sleds. Although Peary was awarded medals and promoted to Admiral after the expedition, Henson slipped into obscurity. In 1955, just before hid death, he was invited to the White House by President Eisenhower. In 2000, the National Geographic Society awarded him the prestigious Hubbard Awardthe same award that Robert E. Peary received 93 years earlier. Henson is buried in Arlington National Cemetery outside Washington, DC.
W. Marker is in Stonington in Southeastern Region, Connecticut. It is in Mystic. It can be reached from Greenmanville Avenue (Connecticut Route 27) south of Rossie Pentway, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 75 Greenmanville Avenue, Mystic CT 06355, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is on the Connecticut Shoreline, in Greater New London, in Mystic and the Eastern Shore, and in the Thames River Valley. It is also in the American Northeast and in New England. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New London County and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Credits. This page was last revised on May 19, 2026. It was originally submitted on June 28, 2023, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 189 times since then and 13 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on June 28, 2023, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
