Richard Francis Burton (1821-1890) was a British writer, soldier, diplomat and explorer.  He wrote articles and books on a wide variety of topics, including language, falconry, fencing, travel and ethnography.  Burton was famed as the first European to journey to Mecca and, with another European, to the Great Lakes of Africa.  All told, he spoke 29 languages.  Even though he was an outspoken critic of the British Empire, he was awarded a knighthood.

Burton was also the author of numerous erotic works.  His books on the sexual practices of the people of Asia and Africa were considered scandalous.  (He was even known to measure the penises of natives).  As well, his translations of One Thousand and One Nights, the Kama Sutra and the Perfumed Garden were thought shocking.  Because the books were considered obscene, they were published by and circulated among the Kama Shastra Society, a private club.

Richard Francis Burton created ground-breaking work on sexuality.  A remarkable man.

S. Gray

March 2024