Abstract
To those acquainted with Africa's greatest missionary/explorer, the name of Charles Livingstone often invokes a host of
negative feelings. The younger brother of the great Livingstone is usually encountered somewhere in David's shadow, and on
those occasions when Charles stepped into his own light, David's
biographers treated him to a spate of invective and abuse not
often encountered in historical readings.
Careful reading and cautious analysis of the evidence, however, indicates that Charles is worthy of better treatment than
he has yet been afforded, and it is the object of this study to
present the man and his career in a more realistic light. As it
was his work on the Zambezi Expedition which has generated the
most controversy, that period of his life is here given paramount
importance. Chapters on his youth, his years at university, and
his work in West Africa are included to present a more complete
picture of the man.
While on the Expedition, Charles served as his brother's
general assistant and secretary, and was intoned to encourage
the cultivation of cotton, to make careful readings of the
earth's natural magnetism, and to take photographs of the lands
and peoples of the region, In addition, he did commendable work
in zoology, especially with the branch of ornithology. Each of
these tasks is treated in detail, and those who nave written or
have been led to believe that nothing came of any of his duties
may be surprised - pleasantly or otherwise - to see that although
his work in no field places him among the giants of the nineteenth century, his work in every case was far more admirable
than anyone has yet imagined
This, then, is a new look at Charles Livingstone, a man who
did his tasks and did them well, yet suffered the slings and
arrows of outrageous fortune for his efforts. It is hoped that
this study will serve as a first step toward a general reappraisal of the man's career, and will add to the understanding of the
early contacts between Europeans and the peoples of Africa.