# John Hanning Speke

> British military officer and explorer (1827–1864)

**Wikidata**: [Q125084](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q125084)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Hanning_Speke)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/john-hanning-speke

## Summary
John Hanning Speke was a British military officer and explorer (1827–1864) who is best known for his expeditions in Africa, including the first recorded sighting of Lake Victoria in 1862. He also served as a botanical collector and writer, contributing to scientific knowledge of the region.

## Biography
- Born: May 4, 1827
- Nationality: United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland
- Education: Not specified
- Known for: First recorded sighting of Lake Victoria and contributions to African exploration
- Employer(s): British military
- Field(s): Exploration, botany, military service

## Contributions
- **First recorded sighting of Lake Victoria**: In 1862, Speke claimed to have discovered Lake Victoria, though later evidence suggested he may have seen a different lake. His expedition provided valuable information about Central Africa.
- **Botanical collections**: Speke collected plant specimens during his expeditions, contributing to scientific knowledge of the region.
- **Military service**: Served as a British military officer, participating in expeditions to advance British interests in Africa.

## FAQs
### What was John Hanning Speke known for?
John Hanning Speke is known for his expeditions in Africa, including the first recorded sighting of Lake Victoria in 1862. He also served as a military officer and botanical collector, contributing to scientific knowledge of the region.

### Where did John Hanning Speke work?
Speke served in the British military and participated in expeditions to explore Africa. His work was primarily focused on advancing British interests in the region.

### What awards did John Hanning Speke receive?
Speke received the Founder’s Medal from the Royal Geographical Society and the Grande Médaille d'Or des Explorations from France.

### What was John Hanning Speke's nationality?
John Hanning Speke was a citizen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland.

## Why They Matter
John Hanning Speke's expeditions in Africa provided valuable information about the region, including the first recorded sighting of Lake Victoria. His work contributed to the broader understanding of Central Africa and influenced subsequent explorations. Speke's military service also played a role in advancing British interests in the continent.

## Notable For
- First recorded sighting of Lake Victoria (1862)
- Founder’s Medal from the Royal Geographical Society
- Grande Médaille d'Or des Explorations from France
- Military officer and botanical collector

## Body

### Early Life and Career
John Hanning Speke was born on May 4, 1827. He served as a British military officer and participated in expeditions to explore Africa. Speke's work included botanical collections and the first recorded sighting of Lake Victoria in 1862.

### Expeditions and Discoveries
Speke's expeditions in Africa provided valuable information about the region. His first recorded sighting of Lake Victoria in 1862, though later disputed, contributed to the understanding of Central Africa. Speke also collected plant specimens during his travels, enriching scientific knowledge of the area.

### Awards and Recognition
Speke received the Founder’s Medal from the Royal Geographical Society and the Grande Médaille d'Or des Explorations from France. These awards recognized his significant contributions to exploration and geography.

### Legacy
John Hanning Speke's work in Africa and his military service left a lasting impact on the exploration and understanding of the continent. His expeditions and discoveries continue to be studied and referenced in the field of African exploration. Speke's contributions to botany and geography have influenced subsequent research and expeditions in the region.

## References

1. Library of Congress Authorities
2. Integrated Authority File
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5. Library of the World's Best Literature
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7. [Bionomia](https://bionomia.net/dataset/b5cdf794-8fa4-4a85-8b26-755d087bf531)
8. [Bionomia](https://bionomia.net/dataset/b740eaa0-0679-41dc-acb7-990d562dfa37)
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23. [Source](https://www.bartleby.com/library/bios/index15.html)
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