EDWARD

See also:

• ROBERT
• ROBERT (1275—1343)
• ROBERT, HUBERT (1753-1808)
• ROBERT, LOUIS LEOPOLD (1794-1835)

ROBERT

See also:

• EDWARD ROBERT FLEGEL (1855-1886)

FLEGEL (1855-1886)  , German traveller in West Africa, was born on the 1st of October 185.5 at Wilna, Russia . After receiving a commercial education he obtained in 1875 a position in Lagos, West Africa., In 1879 he ascended the Benue river some 125 M. above. the farthest point hitherto` reached . His careful survey of the channel secured him a commission from the German African Society to explore the whole Benue district . In 188o he went up the Niger to Goniba, and then visited Sokoto, where he obtained a safe-conduct from the sultan for his intended expedition to Adamawa . This expedition was undertaken in 1882, and on the rah of August in that year Flegel discovered the source of the Benue at Ngaundere . In 1883-1884 he made another journey 'up the Benue, crossing for the second time the Benue-Congo watershed . After a short absence in Europe Flegel returned' to Africa in April 1885 with a commission from the German African Company and the Colonial Society to open up the Niger-Benue district to German trade . This expedition had the support of Prince Bismarck, whp endeavoured, unsuccessfully, to obtain for Germany this region, already secured as a British sphere of influence by the National African Company (the Royal Niger Company) . Flegel, despite a severe illness, ascended the Benue to Yola, but was unable to accomplish his mission . He returned to the coast and died at Brass, at the mouth of the Niger, on the 11th of September 1886 . (See further GOLDIE, SIR GEORGE.) Flegel wrote Lose Blatter aus dem Tagebuche ruiner Haussaaf reunde (Hamburg, 1885), and Vom Niger-Benue . Briefe aus Afrika (edited by K .

Flegel,

Leipzig, 1890) .