Matthew Henson published 1 non-fiction book and 1 children's book, beginning with A Black Explorer at the North Pole (1912).
Updated September 2026
Where to start with Matthew Henson
Start here
A Black Explorer at the North Pole
Matthew Henson's most-read book.
Non-fiction in order
Children's books in order
A Black Explorer at the North Pole (1912)
About Matthew Henson
Matthew Alexander Henson was an American explorer who accompanied Robert Peary on seven voyages to the Arctic over a period of nearly 23 years. They spent a total of 18 years on expeditions together. He is best known for his participation in the 1908–1909 expedition that claimed to have reached the geographic North Pole on April 6, 1909. Henson later said that he was the first of their party to reach the North Pole.
Biography from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0. Photo via Wikimedia Commons.
Matthew Henson FAQ
- How many books has Matthew Henson written?
- Matthew Henson published 1 non-fiction book and 1 children's book that we list, as of September 2026.
- What order should I read Matthew Henson's books in?
- Publication order is a safe choice; the full list is above. Most readers start with A Black Explorer at the North Pole.
- What is Matthew Henson's last book?
- A Negro Explorer at the North Pole (1912).
- What is Matthew Henson's most famous book?
- A Black Explorer at the North Pole (1912) is Matthew Henson's most widely read book.
- Can I read Matthew Henson's books for free?
- Yes. 1 book by Matthew Henson is in the public domain in the US and free to read online or download here.
Authors like Matthew Henson
Sources: book lists and dates from Wikidata and Open Library, ratings from Open Library readers, free texts from Project Gutenberg. Last updated September 2026.