Biography | Sir Richard Francis Burton

Sir Richard Francis Burton

March 19, 1821 – October 20, 1890
Burton was an English scholar-explorer and author of 43 volumes on his explorations and almost 30 volumes of translations, including an unexpurgated 16-volume translation of The Arabian Nights (1885-88).
After explorations in Africa, India, Arabia and the mid-western United States, Burton was appointed consul to Fernando Po (1862-64), Santos Brazil (1865-69), Damascus (1870-71) and finally Trieste (1872-90).
Initiated: Hope Lodge, Kurrachee, Scinde, India

John Hamill, A Celebration of the Craft.; Denslow. Image: Undated photograph of Burton, from Men of Mark (London, 1876).