The Burtons: Some Aspects of Their Lives and Contributions to the Field of Victorian Information

Abstract

This article examines the merit of Sir Richard F. Burton's accomplishments during his controversial life as linguist and translator, explorer, and consular official as well as the validity of some accepted details. Mention is made of Burton's interest in activities which were unacceptable in Victorian Britain, and how his wife, Isabel, dealt with it. The value of Isabel's writing on local customs is considered. An attempt is made to analyse Isabel's actions in relation to Burton's way of thinking. This article has tried to illustrate the extent of the Burtons' understanding of other cultures in relation to the general outlook of the time. Discrepancies in published information are considered. Important UK depositories of source materials and also web sources are noted. English translation from Arabic appears in different forms in British, American, and other publications. For the purpose of this article the spelling is given as seen in the quoted text.

Keywords:

• LINGUISTICS
• EXPLORATION
• DISGUISE
• TRANSLATIONS
• RELIGION
• DESTRUCTION OF MANUSCRIPTS