Snapshot Serengeti Talk

Grant's gazelle ,the man behind its name

  • maricksu by maricksu moderator

    The Grant’s gazelle is named for a 19th-century Scottish explorer, Lt Col Grant.
    Colonel James Augustus Grant (1827-1892) was a Scottish naturalist and explorer. After completing his education, he joined the British army and served in India during the Sikh Wars (1849) and the Indian Mutiny (1857-1858), during which he was wounded and he returned to England in 1858. He spent considerable time from 1860-1863 in Africa with John Hanning Speke in the memorable expedition, searching for the source of the Nile. He never saw the source, as he was unable to walk for six months because of debilitating leg ulcers. He kept a record of the journey, however, and published it as ”A Walk across Africa” in 1864. He also made valuable botanical collections and discovered the gazelle in what is now Tanzania. 😃

    Grant's gazelle image ASG001hkdi

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  • davidbygott by davidbygott moderator

    Col. James Grant and his gazelle. The old map is from Speke & Grant's exploration of the source of the Nile in 1860-63, and shows Lake Victoria in about the right place and size. Like many other expeditions, theirs began in Zanzibar (just left of the word 'ocean') and amazingly, ended in Cairo. I am always blown away by what such intrepid people as these accomplished on foot and in small boats.
    Montage of Grant and his gazelle

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  • maricksu by maricksu moderator in response to davidbygott's comment.

    Thank you David! Really beautiful historical map with both of the Grants 😃
    Also big thanks for the link to the exploration-history! 😃

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  • aliburchard by aliburchard scientist, translator

    What an incredible map and a fascinating bit of history!! Thank you guys!!!

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