Discovery
The foundational irony of this story is that is famous for being a rivalry about the efforts to “discover the source of the Nile.” The irony, of course, is that this source had been “discovered” anew by untold thousands or possibly millions of people who had been there long before any white man from Europe could finally claim credit.
The British Museum
After the discovery of the long-hidden Rosetta Stone, a wave of mania about ancient Egyptian history ravaged across the English population. The result was a nearly unending stream of exploration and discovery of new relics which would be transported back to England and put on display in a museum. Ironically, this museum would be named the British Museum even though the bulk of its exhibits on display had literally no original connection to anything British.
The Big Debate
Following the series of events which led to John Hanning Speke ultimately being able to claim sole credit for “discovering” Lake Victoria, an intense rivalry evolved from what had been a tenuous cooperative relationship with Richard Burton. Literally everyone in England with an interest in archaeology and exploration was waiting with intense anticipation for the final public showdown between the two: a public debate in which Burton was expected to use every ounce of his considerable personality and intelligence to metaphorically destroy Speke who had yet to produce conclusive evidence confirming his claims. Ironically, Speke was destroyed that very day as Burton literally waited in the wings for him to arrive for the debate. The spectacle was canceled once word arrived that Speke had been discovered dead, alone, of a bullet wound.
Racism
As intrepid and impressive as both Burton and Speke may have been as explorers, it has long been universally agreed that both would very likely have died in their efforts without the assistance of their native guide, Sidi Bombay. While ironic, it is certainly not surprising that only the names Burton and Speke have become synonymous with the 19th century “search to discover the source of the Nile” even though both would probably have literally disappeared forever had Bombay not been actively present at all times.
Speke was Right
Speke’s death by bullet was officially ruled accident, but it has basically always been considered an act of suicide brought on in part by his ability to prove his claims. The tragic irony of the story is that it would only be a few years later that another explorer, Henry Stanley—of “Stanley and Livingstone” fame—would confirm those claims and prove Speke had been right and Burton had been wrong all along.
