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More than 5000 entries on the history, culture and life of Britain (published in 1993 by Macmillan, now out of print)
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John Hanning Speke
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(1827–64) Explorer and discoverer in 1858 of Lake Victoria as the main source of the *Nile. He had begun the expedition in 1856 with Richard *Burton, but they had gone separate ways before Speke reached the lake. To establish further proof he returned in 1860, with James Grant, and they found the river's exit from the lake in what they called the Ripon Falls (after Lord Ripon, who had promoted their expedition). Burton published a book casting doubt on Speke's discovery. The *British Association arranged a meeting in Bath on 18 September 1864 at which the two men were to debate their disagreement. The audience was already assembled when the news came that Speke, staying nearby, had accidentally shot himself that morning while shooting partridges.
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