David Livingstone (1813–1873) – United Kingdom

David Livingstone was a Scottish missionary and pioneering explorer who became a national hero through his extensive journeys across Africa. He was the first European to witness the magnificent Victoria Falls, which he named, and he mapped vast uncharted regions of the continent. His fervent opposition to the slave trade and his mysterious disappearance, which prompted a famous search, solidified his legendary status and profoundly shaped Western perceptions of Africa in the 19th century.