Generally regarded as the greatest of African explorers, Stanley is best known for finding Dr David Livingstone at Lake Tanganyika in 1871. His immortal words 'Dr Livingstone I presume?' have ensured Stanley's place in history.
Stanley traced the source of the Nile (`1874-77), circumnavigated Lakes Victoria and Tanganyika and traced the whole course of the River Congo.
Framed letter from Stanley's Whitehall address dated April 27, 1899 entirely in his hand stating 'I am sorry to have to disoblige you but there is nothing so precious to me just now as time & it is a perpetual struggle with me to keep myself free of all business except that essentially connected with duty. Yours faithfully Henry M Stanley'
The letter is addressed to R.S. Warren Bell (1871-1921) who was editor of 'The Captain' (1899-1910), An English 'Magazine for Boys and Old Boys', a publication designed to feature articles to entertain rather than to edify boys. It is likely that Warren Bell wrote to Stanley requesting an article for the magazine detailing his exploits.
