thomas baines and the giant baobabs
n the 19th century, the idea of exploring ‘unknown’ Africa was a magnet for courageous and adventurous Europeans. Among them, Thomas Baines (1820-1875) is a towering figure whose legacy rests on his thousands of sketches, watercolours and oil paintings in public and private collections. A talented artist, cartographer and close observer of natural history and of the people he encountered, his many carefully drawn and accurate maps and journals full of rich and meticulous descriptions of his travels have left an unrivalled record. Much has been written about his life and career, but following his journeys in his own words through his published diaries gives an immediacy and
