Mary Kingsley was born in England in 1862 . By most standards, her childhood was sad and bleak. Her mother was nearly always bedridden. Her father traveled the world as a physician to wealthy patrons and his infrequent visits home were punctuated with angry outbursts at the normal hub-bud of family life. Her brother appears to have been selfish and insensitive.

Young Mary tended to her mother and the household. She never went to school yet loved books and learning. How she learned to read is a mystery; It seems she taught herself.

Nevertheless, Mary remembered her childhood fondly. She adored her father. Mary's decision to travel to West Africa was motivated in part to continue his work­ George Kingsley had fancied himself a serious student of foreign cultures.

UNCOMMON TRAVELER distills the adventures Mary had during her two trips to West Africa in 1893 and 1894. Although she added to knowledge of West Africa, most people were astonished merely by her survival. Supported by her own pluck, Mary flourished in an enviroment that was deadly to Africans and non-Africans alike.

Mary's admiration and respect for Africans put her at odds with most her contemporaries.


  

 
Ruth Law Thrills a Nation / Alice Ramsey's Grand Adventure / One Giant Leap / Rare Treasure / Uncommon Traveler / A Voice from the Wilderness / Across a Dark & Wild Sea  / Far Beyond the Garden Gate / Mack Made Movies / American Boy /  Our Time on the River /  Odd Boy Out /  Kid Blink Beats The World /  The Good Lion

All contents copyright Don Brown 1999, 2000, 2001,2002, 2003, 2004, 2005