Junker

Junker, WILHELM, traveller, was born of German parents resident in Moscow in 1840, and studied medicine in Göttingen, Berlin, and Prague. Proceeding to Africa in 1874, in the first instance to Tunis and Egypt, he in 1876-78 carried through a series of explorations among the western tributaries of the Upper Nile, going as far south as the Kibbi, a feeder of the Welle. In the year following (1879) Junker started from Cairo on his second and more important journey, his object being to explore the basin and course of the river Welle-Makua, which he followed down to 22° 47' 40" E. long. and 3° 13' 10" N. lat. This river was eventually (end of 1887) proved by Captain Van Géle to be identical with the Ubangi, a right-hand affluent of the Congo. After spending four years among the Monbuttu and Niam-Niam, Junker prepared to return home, but was prevented from getting back to Egypt by the Mahdi's revolt, and had to remain with Emin Pasha and Casati. But in the end of 1886, a favourable opportunity presenting itself, he managed to find his way to the coast through Karagwe, and reached Cairo again in January 1887. He died at St Petersburg, 13th February 1892. See his Reisen in Africa, 1875-78 (Vienna, 1889; English translation by A. H. Keane, 1890).