Charles Livingstone’s account of the Zambezi Expedition, 1858 - 1864

The Charles Livingstone Papers at the Oberlin College Archives mainly comprise Charles Livingstone’s account of the Zambezi Expedition of 1858 to 1864, handwritten in journal books. (The second of the four volumes of the account is not in this collection). The fourth volume is dated 1864. The brothers Charles and David Livingstone drew upon this account to write their book Narrative of an Expedition to the Zambesi and its Tributaries, and the Discovery of the Lakes Shirwa and Nyassa: 1858-1964, published in 1865.

In addition to the bound journal books, the collection holds one sheet of paper of notes in ink, not unlike those in the journals. The sheet was previously folded and is fragile.

A transcription of a letter from Charles Livingstone to his father Neil Livingstone in the Library Records has been added to this collection for the convenience of the researcher. The long letter describes Charles’ travels from Albany to Oberlin in about 1840.