Mungo Park (1771-1806)

Explorer in Africa

Mungo Park served an apprenticeship with Thomas Anderson, surgeon in Selkirk and studied medicine at the University of Edinburgh. In 1793 he travelled to Sumatra as the surgeon's mate and collected botanical specimens for Sir Joseph Banks. Two years later he went to Africa on behalf of the Africa Association to find the rise and termination of the River Niger. His account, 'Travels', published in 1799 was very popular. He returned to Africa to continue his quest but died, presumed drowned, during an ambush in 1806. Mungo Park is commemorated with a statue in Selkirk, a monument in Gambia and two memorial chairs at St Giles Cathedral (on the bi-centenary of his birth).

Birth in 1771

Mungo Park was born on 11 September 1771, the son of Mungo Park, tenant in Fulshels (Foulshiels) and Elspeth Hislop. The entry in the Old Parish Register (OPR) for Selkirk gives the date of baptism, by the minister of the Associate Congregation, as 19 September. The witnesses were Thomas Scot and David Kedzie, both servants to Mr Park.

Birth and baptism entry for Mungo Park (50 KB jpeg)
National Records of Scotland, OPR778/3, page 51

Marriage in 1799

Mungo Park, '(the African traveller)' married Allison Anderson on 2 August 1799. The entry in the Old Parish Register for Selkirk names Archibald Park, tenant in Hartwoodmires as cautioner for the bridegroom and William Anderson, surgeon in Selkirk, as cautioner for the bride.

Proclamation and marriage entry for Mungo Park (30 KB jpeg)
National Records of Scotland, OPR778/4, page 38