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Mary Kingsley - Biography

Kingsley (13 October 1862 - 3 June 1900) is a name that will remain in history as one of the most prominent in the study of West Africa in the 19th century. She was a British explorer, writer and traveller whose passion for nature and desire to study the world led to amazing adventures and important scientific discoveries. Let's dive into the biography and learn more about Kingsley's exciting life.

Mary Teresa was born in London, UK, the son of a wealthy doctor and scientist. From an early age, she showed an extraordinary passion for nature and adventure. Her father was a friend of Charles Darwin, and this probably inspired her interest in biology and natural history.

However, Mary's true vocation emerged when she travelled to West Africa. Her first trip to the region was in 1893. She explored the Niger and Ogove rivers and collected plant and animal samples. An important result of her research was significant plant and animal collections for the British Museum.

Mary returned to West Africa in 1894 and took part in an expedition on the Ogoge River. Her research has been extraordinarily bold given the region's difficult conditions and dangers. She published her scientific reports and books, which became valuable sources of information about this little-studied region.

However, Mary Kingsley did not limit herself to biological research. She also paid attention and study to the cultural aspects of West Africa. During her travels, she made observations of local customs, languages, and religious beliefs. Her work on this topic helped to understand the cultural diversity of this region.

Mary's travels also influenced her literary work. She wrote several books, including "On the Rivers and Forests of West Africa" and "In the Devil's District," in which she described her adventures and research. Her writing style was vivid and picturesque, and her works attracted the attention of a wide audience.