Description

Richard Francis Burton (1821–90) was a British explorer, soldier, spy, and diplomat, best known for his travels in Arabia, India, and Africa. After service in the army of the British East India Company and a brief engagement in the Crimean War, Burton led a Royal Geographical Society expedition to explore Africa’s Great Lakes region in search of the source of the Nile. In 1861 Burton left the army and entered the Foreign Service. He was appointed consul for the Bight of Biafra and the island of Fernando Po ...