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.
Showing posts with label Africa. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Africa. Show all posts
Saturday, 20 October 2012
Tuesday, 22 May 2012
22nd May
On this day in 1795 the explorer Mungo Park set sail from his native Scotland on a voyage to Africa. It should have been a family affair, but he fell out with his brothers, Hyde and Regents, both of whom went off in a sulk to London.
In other news ...
Ex-President of the Confederate States of America, Jefferson Davis, was caught today while on the run from the Union in 1865. He was disguised as a woman and insisted he only ever did this on Thursdays when there was a 'y' in the month and anyway, he was doing it for charity.
In other news ...
Ex-President of the Confederate States of America, Jefferson Davis, was caught today while on the run from the Union in 1865. He was disguised as a woman and insisted he only ever did this on Thursdays when there was a 'y' in the month and anyway, he was doing it for charity.
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