1908 George Grenfell and the Congo

Description

First Edition, Folding Maps, Illustrated, Publishers' Original Binding

The two volume first edition of British explorer, botanist, artist, colonial administrator Sir Harry Johnston's study of the life of Cornish missionary and explorer George Grenfell, published two years after his death in Basoko from backwater fever.

Illustrated with fourteen maps, three of which are folding and two of which are in colour, alongside thirty-five plates, with numerous further vignette illustrations. Collated, complete.

Johnston provides a fascinating account of Grenfell's Congo explorations.

A passionate missionary, in 1903 Grenfell protested King Leopold against consistent refusal of the Congo Free State authorities to allow further Baptist advance beyond Yakusu on the Upper Congo, with no effect.

With the bookplate of John Godfray le Quesne to the front pastedown of volume I. He was a civil servant and QC under Margaret Thatcher.

He was awarded in 1887 the Patron's Medal of the Royal Geographical Society for his explorations in the Cameroons and Congo.