Richard Francis Burton

Sir Richard Francis Burton (March 19, 1821 – October 19, 1890), British consul, explorer, translator, writer and Orientalist known for his often-unprecedented exploits of travel and exploration as well as his extraordinary knowledge of languages and cultures.

Quotations

• "He was, as has been well said, an Elizabethan born out of time; in the days of Drake his very faults might have counted to his credit." Encyclopædia Britannica, 11th edition.
• "Before middle age, he compressed into his life more of study, more of hardship, and more of successful enterprise and adventurer, than would have sufficed to fill up the existence of half a dozen ordinary men." Lord Derby, 19th century parliamentarian.