Hans Meyer

Born in Hildburghausen in 1858, Hans Meyer was a German geographer, explorer, and travel writer. He came from the family behind the well-known Bibliographisches Institut publishing house, which helped place him close to the worlds of books and scholarship from an early age.

He is most often remembered for leading the first successful European ascent of Mount Kilimanjaro, reaching the summit in 1889. Alongside his scientific and exploratory work, he wrote books drawn from his journeys in Africa and elsewhere, combining observation, geography, and adventure for readers of his time.

Meyer died in 1929. Today he is remembered both for his role in nineteenth-century exploration and for the travel writing and geographical works that grew out of those expeditions.