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Periodical article Periodical article Leiden University catalogue Leiden University catalogue WorldCat catalogue WorldCat
Title:Cartographical quandaries: the limits of knowledge production in Burton's and Speke's search for the source of the Nile
Author:Wisnicki, Adrian S.ISNI
Year:2008
Periodical:History in Africa (ISSN 1558-2744)
Volume:35
Pages:455-479
Language:English
Geographic term:East Africa
Subjects:expeditions
cartography
About persons:John Hanning Speke (1827-1864)ISNI
Richard Francis Burton (1821-1890)ISNI
External link:http://muse.jhu.edu/journals/history_in_africa/v035/35.wisnicki.pdf
Abstract:When he sighted the southern end of Lake Victoria (Tanzania) on 3 August 1858, John Hanning Speke realized that he had discovered the source of the White Nile. That he had made his discovery on a solo 'flying trip' during the East African Expedition (EAE) of 1856-1859, which was under the command of Richard Francis Burton, made Speke's accomplishment all the more remarkable. Yet, Burton's suggestion that Speke's 'theory' lacked empirical support led to a quarrel between the two explorers that, to this day, continues to dominate critical discussion of the expedition. The present paper opens a new line of inquiry into Burton's and Speke's expedition and into the 'cultural practices' that both enabled the EAE and circumscribed its achievements. It argues that the expedition took shape foremost from the EAE's failed attempts to negotiate between, on the one hand, the institutional pressures and demands placed on Burton and Speke, and, on the other, the limitations created by first-hand investigation on the imperial frontier in Africa. Bibliogr., notes, ref. [ASC Leiden abstract]
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