Alexandre Alberto da Rocha de Serpa Pinto

Born in 1846, he served in the Portuguese army before gaining fame as an explorer. Serpa Pinto is best remembered for a major expedition across Africa in 1877–1879, traveling from the west coast toward the east and recording geography, peoples, and conditions along the way.

He later wrote about his travels, helping build his reputation beyond Portugal. His work was closely tied to the age of European imperial expansion, and his journeys were celebrated at the time as feats of endurance and discovery.

He died in 1900. Today, he is remembered as an important Portuguese explorer whose name is linked to some of the best-known expeditions of his era.