Richard Francis Burton

Explorer

Birthday March 19, 1821

Birth Sign Pisces

Birthplace England

DEATH DATE Oct 20, 1890 (69)

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About

Prolific author and traveler who was one of the first Europeans to visit Mecca and brought the Kama Sutra to the Western World.

Before Fame

He was a captain of the East India Company army, and later was commissioned to explore the eastern coast of Africa.

Trivia

He was an outspoken critic of colonization, which did not help his career.

Family Life

His mother inherited a large fortune, which helped him obtain a good education. He was married to Isabel Burton from 1861 until 1890.

Associated With

He accompanied John Hanning Speke on the expedition to find the source of the Nile River.