John Heminway

John Heminway has lived a life of travel, scholarship, and storytelling in film and books. As a filmmaker and author, he has dedicated his career to the far corners of the world, their astonishing inhabitants, rare and endangered species, and even brain science. In particular, John has spent many years exploring Africa and telling stories about the continent’s impact on the rest of the world. Among his many films is The Voyage of the Mir El Lah, in which he documented the adventurous journey of an ocean-going sailing dhow from the top of the Persian Gulf, around the Arabian Peninsula, and down the coast of Africa. It tells the story of how the Indian Ocean has been circumnavigated for the last 2,000 years. Another set of films recounts the dark pathways of the African ivory trade — a story of two continents, Africa and Asia.

John has made over 200 films and has produced, directed, and written for The Discovery Channel, National Geographic Television, and PBS, among others. His work has been recognized with two Emmys, two Peabodys, a DuPont Columbia Journalism award, among other honors. John is now an emeritus member of The Explorers Club, having been admitted in 1966 as one of its youngest members ever, in recognition of his pioneering explorations in Africa, at the age of 16. 

Language spoken: English