British traveler and consul John Kirk in East Africa in the second half of the nineteenth century

Abstract

This reserch is a historical study of the role of the doctor, traveler, naturalist, and British consul Jhon kirk in zanzibar in particular, and in east africa in general, in the second half of the nineteenth century. kirk arrived in east africa as a doctor and naturalist accompanying Livingstone's expedition to discover the course of the Zambezi river and its suitability for navigation between 1858 and 1863. He then returned to Zanzibar as a doctor to the British consular Agency in 1866, and rose through the ranks of the Agency as Vice-Consul and Assistant political Agent in 1868, then to the position of consul and political Agent there between 1873 and 1887. During this time, he played a significant role in British hegemony over Zanzibar and East africa, and defended the borders of the Zanzibar Sultanate as a British influence and protection, until this policy collapsed in the face of the ambitions of other European powers, especially Germany, and the division of its possessions with Britain, He continued his african interests after retiring from his consular post; Whether through the British Imperial East Africa Company or the Brussels Slave Trade Conference of 1890. He remained relied upon for advice on African affairs until his death in 1922.