Sir Richard Francis Burton

Sir Richard Francis Burton (1821 - 1890), English explorer, linguist and diplomat, pictured circa 1870. A master of up to 30 languages, Burton made a pilgrimage to Mecca disguised as a Pathan in 1853 and later explored Africa, settting out with John Hanning Speke, to search for the source of the Nile River. In later life he served as a British diplomat in Brazil, Syria and Italy

1853 Explored Hanning Languages Linguist Mecca Pathan Pilgrimage Source Speke

Features In These Collections

> Contributors > ILN