Matthew Henson was an Arctic explorer who had to work for his dreams from a young age, he would eventually achieve his goal when he reached the North Pole. However, he would face hardship, discrimination, and a lack of recognition before he would be credited for his work in discovering the North Pole.

Matthew Henson was a revolutionary explorer who had to wait for a long time to get his recognition. In the year 1909, Henson and Perry left on their last journey to the North Pole, “The exploration of the North Pole lasted over 2 decades and started with 24 men, 19 sledges, and 133 dogs, however it ended with 4 Eskimos, Matthew, Peary, and only 40 dogs” (Biography Editors).  This exemplifies how the expeditions that he took part in were very long and treacherous considering that by the end of their travels barely any men were left, however he still prevailed even reaching the North Pole before Peary.  Almost 40 years after the expedition had been completed, “Henson received the Congressional medal awarded to all members of the Peary expedition (1944)” (Britannica). Henson was given the same medal as everyone else who survived the expedition, however he received this honor many decades later than everyone else who took part. This goes to show how long Henson was deprived of his rightful place in exploration history.  "With years of experience equal to that of Peary himself, [Henson] was indispensable,” MacMillan would later recall. 

  Matthew Henson worked hard for his dreams and never gave up despite the hardship he endured. Matthew Henson had to face  difficult challenges even as a kid, “When he was 11 years old he left home and walked all the way to Baltimore and became a cabin boy where the skipper took him under his wing and educated him” (Biography editors). This provides how even from a young age Matthew Henson knew how to work hard and had the determination to continue throughout his life following his dreams.  Matthew Henson's didn't become big in the exploring world until, “Upon learning of Henson's sailing and navigation experience, Peary hired him as a valet. On the 1888 Nicaragua expedition, Henson impressed Peary, and subsequently accompanied him on seven Arctic expeditions between 1891 and 1909” (Matthew).  This quote proves that Matthew Henson was able to improve upon his skills and learn how to survive far from home. This also shows that he worked hard to be able to impress Peary because it mentions how he had great sailing and navigation experience.  This author states this quote, “Employed him as an attendant on his seven subsequent expeditions to the Arctic (1891–92; 1893–95; 1896; 1897; 1898–1902; 1905–06; 1908–09)” (Britannica).  This quote provides the determination Matthew Henson and Robert Peary had to have to continue and persevere through these hardships and failed expeditions over 20 years until they finally reached their goal of discovering the North Pole. Matthew Henson had to work hard for his dreams and would not fail when he rose up to the task and created a great friendship with a long time sailing partner in Robert Peary.

     Matthew Henson faced a lot of discrimination throughout his journey, even after he completed his discovery of the North Pole. After many journeys over many decades, “Matthew Henson was part of the exploration and the partner of Robert Peary and in 1909, he was the first person to cross into the North Pole, however his partner, Robert Peary who crossed a few hours later, was the one to receive the initial credit” (First).  This quote shows how Matthew Henson had to face discrimination in his discovery of the North Pole with him somewhat getting backstabbed by his long time partner Robert Peary, however this did not discourage him and his work was finally acknowledged when he was invited into the international explorers club in 1937. Henson also struggled for credit because of his race, “As an African American, Henson was largely overlooked. And while Peary was lauded by many for his achievement, he and his team faced wide skepticism” (Biography Editors). This evidence shows that just because Matthew Henson was African American he wasn’t considered to be a true asset of the trip until much later in his life or even after his death. As well as, “It would be reasonable to give Peary and Henson equal credit for having reached the North Pole together as a team. But the racially divisive climate of time would not give an African-American man the same standing in the public eye for the accomplishment of such a monumental feat of human achievement” (Mills).  This evidence adds to Henson being discredited as he was not able to be seen the same as Robert Peary in the public eye because of his skin color.  Matthew Henson had an equally important role in the discovery of the North Pole, but his skin color and race would prevent equality and he wouldn't get recognized until after his death.