thumb|Eduard Robert Flegel
Eduard Robert Flegel (13 October 1855 – 11 September 1886) was a German explorer who played an important role in the Scramble for Africa.
Life
Born in Vilna, Lithuania, Flegel trained as a merchant before travelling to Lagos in 1875, where, in 1879 opportunity arose to take part in an expedition along the River Niger,
which penetrated to about 125 miles beyond the farthest point hitherto explored.
At the behest of the German African Society, which commissioned him to explore the entire Benue River basin, Flegel undertook further study of the Benue, and in 1880 travelled up the Niger to Sokoto. There, he obtained leave from the sultan for an expedition to the Adamawa Plateau. During his exploration of the Benue, he identified its source at Ngaundere in 1882.