As a boy David Livingstone taught himself to read and write and even learned an extra language, Latin. Learning by himself was especially hard for him since he worked from 6a.m.-8p.m. at a tweed factory.  But, he was determined to get an education.  As a young man he received a degree in medicine, almost failing. He practiced medicine for a short time but his calling was to be a missionary.  David Livingstone became missionary in Africa for the word of Christ.  He was considered to be pushing out to a new frontier.

David Livingstone encountered many hard aches, as well as discoveries during his exploration.  While in Africa he was mauled by a lion, and had to have maggots eat at his dead flesh.  As he traveled through eastern Africa, he contracted malaria but later discovered a substance that helped him fight against the horrid disease. He called it the “rouser.” Soon after David Livingstone married Mary Moffat, their family was almost killed in the Kalahari Desert from lack of water.  Still these challenges didn’t stop him.

In 1855, while traveling down the Zambezi River he discovered Victoria Falls on a cool November day. This awakened his desires to explore unknown areas even more. He is said to have discovered the source of the Nile.  In fact, “The New York Herald” called him the “man of the century”.