Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Livingstone, Charles

681843Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900, Volume 33 — Livingstone, Charles1893Robert Hamilton Vetch

LIVINGSTONE, CHARLES (1821–1873), missionary and traveller, brother of Dr. David Livingstone [q. v.], was born at Blantyre in Lanarkshire on 28 Feb. 1821. He attended the local school and worked with his brother in the cotton-factory of H. Monteith & Co., from which he moved to a lace factory at Hamilton. He devoted his leisure time to study, and became a Sunday-school teacher. In 1840 he emigrated to the Western States of America, and became a student at a training college for missionaries. In 1847 he entered the Union Theological College, New York City, from which he took his degree in 1850. Dr. Storrs of Massachusetts took a deep interest in him, and obtained for him a pastoral charge in that state. In April 1857 he came to England on leave of absence, and met his brother David, fresh from his discoveries in Central Africa, who induced him, not without a struggle, to leave his family and his flock in America, and to join the Zambesi expedition. Through many privations and difficulties he was the doctor's faithful companion and assistant till 1863, when he was invalided home, and went to join his family in America. His health would not, however, allow of his resuming ministerial duties, and after writing out his journal, he came to meet his brother David in England, and assist him in preparing the work on the Zambesi for the press. In October 1874 he accepted the appointment of her majesty's consul at Fernando Po, and in 1867 the Bights of Benin and Biafra, including the mouths of the Niger, were added by Lord Stanley to his consular district. His upright and consistent Christian life gave him great influence with the chief, whom he persuaded to abolish many cruel and heathenish customs. He visited the Okrikas, a savage cannibal tribe, and his visit resulted in great good to them. He died near Lagos, 28 Oct. 1873, of African fever.

[Proceedings of the Royal Geographical Society, 1874, vol. xxxiii.]

R. H. V.

Dictionary of National Biography, Errata (1904), p.183
N.B.— f.e. stands for from end and l.l. for last line

Page Col. Line  
384 ii 10 Livingstone, Charles: for 1874 read 1864