James Bruce

Bruce, James, 1730-1794.

Travels to discover the source of the Nile, in the years 1768, 1769, 1770, 1771, 1772, and 1773. In five volumes. Edinburgh : Printed by J. Ruthven ..., 1790.

Bruce, a physically impressive Scotsman of great height and bright red hair, spent years in North Africa as Britain's consul general. In 1768, he resolved to explore the interior of East Africa in hopes of discovering the source of the Nile, preparing himself by studying numerous languages, navigation and medicine. He eventually arrived in the Ethiopian capital Gondar in 1770, where he was received by the king Tecla Haimanot. While in Ethiopia, he used his medical skills to stem an outbreak of smallpox and also served in military campaigns for the monarchy. Apparently unaware of earlier Jesuit expeditions to discover the source of the Blue Nile, Bruce believed himself to be the first European to discover the river, which he believed to be the Nile itself.

Despite criticism that alleged his account was untruthful, his narrative skill led this work to be called "the epic of African travel."