Henry Morton Stanley, an American journalist and explorer, was dispatched in 1869 by the New York Herald newspaper to locate David Livingstone, a British missionary and explorer who had not been heard from in several years during his travels in Africa. Livingstone embarked on his last expedition to explore the Zambezi River and to find a navigable route for trade and missionary work. His disappearance sparked significant concern across Europe and America, leading to widespread efforts to discover his whereabouts. Stanley embarked on his journey in 1871, traversing treacherous terrain and encountering numerous obstacles, including hostile tribes, disease, and the vast wilderness of East Africa.

Upon reaching Ujiji, a key trading post on the shores of Lake Tanganyika, Stanley found Livingstone in relatively good health but somewhat resigned to his fate of exploring a realm that was both physically demanding and politically complex. The encounter occurred on November 10, 1871, and is famously captured by Stanley's greeting, 'Dr. Livingstone, I presume?' This moment not only signified the end of an arduous search but also highlighted the cultural exchanges taking place in Africa at the time. Livingstone's return to prominence triggered renewed interest in African exploration and contributed to the broader narrative of the African continent in the Western imagination.

Following their meeting, Stanley and Livingstone engaged in various discussions about Christianity, exploration, and Africa's socio-political landscape. Stanley continued to document his journey, gathering valuable information about the regions they discussed. Their interaction also underlined the humanitarian aspect of Livingstone's missionary work and brought further attention to the exploitation of Africa and its people during the Scramble for Africa.