Matthew Henson news, News about Matthew Henson,

NEWS: 2003-2004

February, 2004

Site policy: No on
History Day

Henson used to win prize money?

Too many students have plagiarized our material in an effort to win prize money. Many "History Day Contestants" have tried to make us author their papers by answering detailed lists of questions. This would constitute our writing original material of a scholarly nature for the contestant. We already have our education--it is up to students to learn how to do original research--not us.

Entries related to Henson & Peary that we have seen are shockingly poor: all have shown a complete disregard for scholarship, source references, historical accuracy, or the willingness to read primary source materials such as newspapers, magazines and books. Not one has ever risen above the level of a poorly constructed summary of derivative works; a mere perpetuation of clichés or widely circulated opinions from authors who had no real grasp of what Peary and Henson accomplished. If all history means to you is that by plagiarizing misinformation you might win $1,000 then please do not attempt to involve us in your project.

Your local teachers and librarians are paid to assist you; we are not paid. We wish to conserve our energies for students who actually do research and merely want a point clarified, amplified or explained. In any such instance you must send your work for review (and yes it must have the sources attributed, a bibliography, etc.).

The purpose of education is not to win prizes but to learn how to think, how to research and how to learn about any topic in general. The "prize" is education itself--not a piece of paper or a cash award. Obtaining a degree and obtaining an education are not the same thing. I personally have met far too many people with college degrees who have no real knowledge about the world. Sadly, few people mastered the English grammar taught in grade school or understand the science & math taught in high school. Such people bring nothing to the world but the desire to consume resources.

Our world needs educated individuals who contribute, not ones who drain resources that belong to others. You need to learn to be the source of love, light, truth and abundance so that you may share your gifts with others.

Winter 2003—2004

Matthew Henson by Martha Root

Matthew Henson Artwork Contests!

Enter your drawings for Peary & Henson comic book

Enter your sculpture of Peary & Henson

Contest details

We need drawings suitable for a young person's book or comic book about Peary & Henson. We also want to make a sculpture of both Peary & Henson at the North Pole. One that can be made into an item we can mold and sell so that people everywhere can have these two heroes of teamwork in their homes.

Autumn, 2003

Peary & Henson Foundation, Inc.

Non-profit educational corporation for public benefit

A non-profit educational foundation has been filed with the Secretary of State in California. The Incorporator is Bradley Robinson, son of Matthew Henson biographer Bradley Robinson. Doug Davies is also listed as a member of this foundation. He is the son of Admiral Davies who authored the Navigation Report in 1990 summarized in the National Geographic article New Evidence Places Peary at The Pole. Edward Peary Stafford, USN, ret.—the grandson of Admiral Peary was also an incorporator of this corporation.

Plans include educational materials, websites, scholarships and much more. Links for fundraising will be provided in the near future. Anyone interested in donating funds or fund raising assistance is invited to send an email.

School of Nations Museum

Student art contest, 2003.

Guinness Book of Records credits Henson & Peary

Guinness finally wakes up from years of misinformation created by Wally Herbert, who lied in his popular book that Peary never mentioned reaching the North Pole in his diary. Bravo Guinness! Thank you for admitting a mistake and correcting the mistake you caused. I can't tell you how many people cited the Guinness book as the source for "proof" that Peary did not reach the Pole. They were under the spell of fellow UK author Herbert. Now that his motives are clear to everyone Guinness has finally recanted! Bravo Guinness!

	Guinness mistakes: "...Crook challenged his claim? Wrong: Crook affirmed Peary's claim; he only asserted that he had beaten Peary by a year. "...asserting that he had reached the Pole earlier that month,..." Wrong: He asserted he had reached the Pole a year earlier. Whoops Guinness!

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