Burton , Sir , Richard Francis , 1821-1890 , Knight , explorer and diplomat

Burton , Sir , Richard Francis , 1821-1890 , Knight , explorer and diplomat

Sir Richard Francis Burton was born 19 March 1821; he matriculated from Trinity College, Oxford in 1840. Colonel Burton purchased a commission for Burton in the Bombay army and he arrived in India in October 1842, serving as a staff interpreter, surveyor, and intelligence officer as well as carrying out infantry duties. Burton demonstrated proficiency in the East India Company's language examinations and during his life mastered more than forty languages and dialects. Burton also mastered cultures, enabling him to 'pass among native peoples in disguise'. Following a bout of cholera Burton returned to England and began to write, publishing dozens of books.

In 1852 Burton proposed to the Royal Geographical Society that he make the hajj, or pilgrimage, to the Islamic holy cities of Mecca and Medina. Forbidden to non-Muslims, Burton intended to make the pilgrimage in complete disguise as a Muslim native of the Middle East. With the RGS's support, Burton set off in 1854, taking notes and A Personal Narrative of a Pilgrimage to Al-Madinah and Meccah, 1855-1856 became a classic piece of travel literature. Following this on 29 October 1854, disguised as a Turkish merchant, Burton began an expedition to Harar, an area no European had ever entered. On his return to England Burton was awarded the RGS's gold medal. Burton continued to travel to places including Damascus and North America and to write and died 20 October 1890.