William Grant Stairs was a Canadian explorer, soldier, and diplomat who is best known for his role in the exploration of the Congo region of Africa. He was born in Halifax, Nova Scotia in 1863 and was educated at the Halifax Academy and the Royal Military College of Canada. After graduating from the Royal Military College, Stairs joined the British Army and served in the Sudan campaign of 1885.
In 1887, Stairs was chosen to lead an expedition to the Congo region of Africa. The expedition was sponsored by the British government and was intended to explore the region and to establish diplomatic relations with the local tribes. Stairs and his team of explorers set out from Zanzibar in October of 1887 and arrived in the Congo in December.
Stairs and his team spent the next two years exploring the region and establishing diplomatic relations with the local tribes. During this time, Stairs and his team encountered many different tribes, including the Bakongo, the Bangala, and the Bateke. Stairs was able to establish friendly relations with many of these tribes and was even able to negotiate a treaty with the Bakongo.
In 1890, Stairs and his team returned to England and Stairs was awarded the Royal Geographical Society's Founder's Medal for his exploration of the Congo region. He was also made a Companion of the Order of St. Michael and St. George for his diplomatic efforts.
Stairs continued to serve in the British Army and was promoted to the rank of Major in 1891. He was then sent to South Africa to serve in the Second Boer War. During this time, Stairs was involved in several battles and was even wounded in action. After the war, Stairs returned to England and was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in 1902.
In 1904, Stairs was sent to the Congo region once again, this time as the British consul-general. During his time in the Congo, Stairs was able to negotiate several treaties with the local tribes and was even able to establish a British protectorate over the region. Stairs also helped to establish the Congo Free State, which was a Belgian colony.
Stairs returned to England in 1908 and was promoted to the rank of Colonel. He then retired from the British Army in 1910 and returned to Canada. Stairs died in Halifax in 1912 and was buried in the Halifax Public Gardens.
William Grant Stairs was an important figure in the exploration and colonization of the Congo region of Africa. His diplomatic efforts helped to establish friendly relations with the local tribes and his exploration of the region helped to open up the area to European colonization. Stairs was a brave and determined explorer who helped to shape the history of the Congo region.