all the Burton images are from burtoniana.orgMR. MURTHWAITE in The Moonstone , (Wilkie Collins) is said to be based on Sir Richard Francis Burton.
I just ordered the book The Collector Of Worlds by Iliya Troyanov reviewed in the The Sunday Book Review (Ben Macintyre). I am sure Burton's first hand accounts are the best reads- and there are many.
"the celebrated Indian traveller, Mr. Murthwaite, who, at risk of his life, had penetrated in disguise where no European had ever set foot before"
(from Chapter X of The Moonstone)
"the more I study religions the more I am convinced that man never worshipped anything but himself"Sir Richard
...and there are many.
Just a small glimpse of Burton's published works. His catalog is astonishing. See it all on the definitive Burton site linked at the beginning of this post.
Just a small glimpse of Burton's published works. His catalog is astonishing. See it all on the definitive Burton site linked at the beginning of this post.
SIR RICHARD aka Mr Murthwaite
The mausoleum of Burton and his wife Isabel -an impressive desert tent of sandstone.
"All Faith is false, All Faith is true:
Truth is the shattered mirror strown
In myriad bits; while each believes
His little bit the whole to own."
Sir Richard
Burton's wishes were for the two to “lie side by side in a tent” for eternity."HONOUR, NOT HONOURS"
Sir Richard's favorite self composed motto
the things one can learn on blogs! Thanks for pointing out a fascinating character and his work.
ReplyDeleteJust my kind of character
ReplyDeleteAugury- Yet another reason to dust off The Moonstone.
ReplyDeleteThanks for reminding me of wicked orientalist Sir Richard Burton. Hallelujah to this: "the more I study religions the more I am convinced that man never worshipped anything but himself"
ReplyDeleteRose-'e. I got this book today, pretty heady (huge) But I hope it is what was promised, he was a real bad boy it would seem. An amazing quote. G
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