Congo Free State

From Ffaith

Already a famous explorer, Denbigh born Henry Morton Stanley was the founder and first Governer of the the Congo Free State. Established in 1880, the state gained international recognition in 1885 with King Leopold II of Belgium, the financier of Stanley's expedition, as its head. Stanley returned to London in 1887 and was elected to Parliament as the Liberal Unionist member for North Lambert in 1895.