Alexander Gordon Laing

About

The first European explorer to reach the fabled city of Timbuktu.

Before Fame

He was commissioned by the president of the African Association to travel along the Niger river to find its delta, which is how he came upon Timbuktu.

Trivia

He never made it out of Timbuktu alive. He was murdered on his way out.

Family Life

His father was a private teacher of the classics.

Associated With

Two years after his attempt, Rene Caillie reached Timbuktu and made it out alive.