Richard Lander

Richard Lemon Lander was a British explorer and writer born in Truro in 1804. He is best known for his expeditions to western Africa, where he and his brother John became the first Europeans to follow the course of the River Niger to the Atlantic Ocean. After surviving an attack of yellow fever in the West Indies, Lander served as a servant to wealthy London families before joining explorer Hugh Clapperton on his African expeditions. He continued the journey after Clapperton’s death in 1827, documenting his travels through the Yoruba region.

Commissioned by the British Government, Lander returned to West Africa in 1830 with his brother to map the Niger River. Their successful determination of the river’s course earned him the Royal Geographical Society Founder's Medal. In 1832, he led a final expedition to establish a trading settlement. During this journey, he was wounded by a musket ball in his thigh. The bullet could not be removed, leading to gangrene and his death in Nigeria in 1834. He left behind his wife and daughter.

Reading Richard Lander in translation

The reader already reads English, the language Richard Lander wrote in. On Paralelo they read Records of Captain Clapperton's last expedition to Africa, Vol. 2 (of 2) in the original with a German translation beside them, using the English they know as the anchor while they learn the other language. Lander’s writing is factual and descriptive, recording the details of his travels and observations of African towns and rivers. The register is straightforward, typical of early nineteenth-century travel journals. The text aligns phrase by phrase, allowing the reader to match English words with their German equivalents easily. This single volume is the best place to start, as it is the only option available. It offers a clear introduction to his style and historical context.