Date of Birth: March 19, 1821
Zodiac Sign: Pisces
Date of Death: October 20, 1890
Biography
Sir Richard Francis Burton was a British explorer, geographer, translator, writer, soldier, orientalist, cartographer, ethnologist, spy, linguist, poet, fencer, and diplomat. Born on March 19, 1821, in Torquay, Devon, England, Burton is best known for his explorations in Africa and Asia. He was one of the first Europeans to visit the Great Lakes of Africa in search of the source of the Nile and is also famous for his pilgrimage to Mecca, which he undertook in disguise, an exceedingly dangerous endeavor for a non-Muslim at the time. Burton spoke 29 languages and countless dialects, and he translated numerous works from Arabic, including the famous “One Thousand and One Nights.” His life was characterized by a relentless quest for knowledge and adventure, and his contributions to the fields of geography, ethnology, and literature are still celebrated today.
5 Interesting Facts about Richard Francis Burton
1. Richard Francis Burton was expelled from Oxford University in 1842 for attending a steeplechase, which was against university rules.
2. Burton disguised himself as a Muslim pilgrim to enter Mecca in 1853, an act that, if discovered, could have led to his execution.
3. He was the first European to visit Lake Tanganyika during his African explorations.
4. Burton translated the “Kama Sutra” into English, introducing the text to the Western world.
5. He served as the British consul in Damascus and later in Trieste.
5 Most Interesting Quotes from Richard Francis Burton
1. “The gladdest moment in human life, me thinks, is a departure into unknown lands.”
2. “Travelers are like poets. They are mostly an angry race.”
3. “He who knows and knows that he knows is a wise man – follow him; He who knows not and knows not that he knows not is a fool – shun him.”
4. “One death to a man is a serious thing: a dozen neutralize one another.”
5. “I was surrounded at the time by about a dozen of the great scholars of my day, who were all learned in the Koran and classical Arabic.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
Richard Francis Burton’s highest net worth is not well-documented, as explorers in the 19th century were not typically wealthy by today’s standards. His financial status was modest, mainly supported by his writings and government positions.
Children
Richard Francis Burton did not have any children. He was married to Isabel Arundell, who was an important figure in his life and posthumously worked to publish his manuscripts and preserve his legacy.
Relevant Links
