Richard Burton died in Trieste today at the age of 69. It was 1890 and the explorer was one of the giants of Victorian England, never fully recognized (despite a knighthood) because of his penchant for translating the Kama Sutra, naughty bits and all. He was the first Englishman to visit Mecca during the Hajj (then punishable by death) and discovered hitherto unknown parts of Africa, some of which belonged to native girls.
In other news ...
Dame Annan Eagle was born today in 1904. I can't really tell you any more than that.
