Stanley Archives' Treasures

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Photo n° 5153 Dorothy and Stanley Copyright © King Baudouin Foundation Collection / Royal Museum for Central Africa

Upon his return to London, Stanley married Dorothy Tennant, a former love he unsuccessfully proposed to in 1886. After a very brief engagement, the wedding took place in Westminster Abbey. The newlyweds spent the first part of their honeymoon in the New-Forest District, before heading to Switzerland.

Stanley never went back to the Congo River Basin, nor was he connected with King Leopold’s Congo estate any longer, although he continued to visit and exchange letters with the King.

Although Stanley gradually decreased his involvement with Africa, he remained a strong advocate of the need for a British presence there, and actively supported William Mackinnon’s efforts to develop Uganda.

Since his wife was scared that 'her Stanley' might at some point be called back on duty to Africa, she encouraged him to go into politics. In 1895, he was elected into the House of Commons as a Liberal Unionist for the North Lambeth District, and served until he retired in 1900, having never really liked the office.

His health slowly ebbed and on 10 May 1904 he died at the family home of Furze Hill in Pirbright, Surrey. Despite many pleadings he was denied burial at Westminster Abbey, his remains being put to rest instead in the Pirbright churchyard.