Matthew Henson, first man to the North Pole.

• After years of being denied his rightful place in history, Henson was finally recognied as the first person to reach the North Pole in 1912.

• First African-American Arctic Explorer, 1866-1955.

• Wrote his memoirs, A Negro Explorer at the North Pole, in 1912

• In 1937, Henson was the first African-American accepted into the exclusive international Explorer’s Club, due to his achievement.

• Henson made six voyages and spent a total of 18 years in expeditions.

• At 70 years, he received an award from the US Navy and a gold medal from the Chicago Geographic Society.