The Personal Life of David Livingstone ...: Chiefly from His Unpublished Journals and Correspondence in the Possession of His Family - Primary Source

Published in 1880, this biography was authored by William Garden Blaikie shortly after the death of the renowned Scottish explorer and missionary David Livingstone. Commissioned by Livingstone's family, the work was intended to provide a more intimate and personal portrait of the explorer than had been previously available. Blaikie was granted exclusive access to Livingstone's private journals, field notes, and personal correspondence, allowing him to construct a narrative that focused heavily on Livingstone's inner life, religious convictions, and the complexities of his expeditions across Africa.

The book is a significant primary source that reflects the Victorian era's fascination with exploration and colonial legacy. Blaikie designed the narrative to emphasize Livingstone's humanitarian efforts and his dedication to the abolition of the slave trade. Upon its release, the biography was widely received as a definitive and authorized account, helping to cement Livingstone's status as a national hero in Britain. The ISBN provided refers to a modern scholarly reprint, which maintains the integrity of the original text for contemporary historians and researchers.