The purpose of this work is to make the world better acquainted with the character of Livingstone.

His discoveries and researches have been given to the public in his own books, but his modesty led him to say little in these of himself, and those who knew him best feel that little is known of the strength of his affections, the depth and purity of his devotion, or the intensity of his aspirations as a Christian missionary.

The growth of his character and the providential shaping of his career are also matters of remarkable interest, of which not much has yet been made known.
An attempt has been made in this volume, likewise, to present a more complete history of his life than has yet appeared.

Many chapters of it are opened up of which the public have hitherto known little or nothing.
It has not been deemed necessary to dwell on events recorded in his published Travels, except for the purpose of connecting the narrative and making it complete.

Even on these, however, it has been found that not a little new light and color may be thrown from his correspondence with his friends and his unpublished Journals.
Much pains has been taken to show the unity and symmetry of his character.