Happy! - Mar 19 (Sir Richard Burton)

Subject: RE: Happy! - Mar 19 (Sir Richard Burton)
From: yrlancslad
Date: 19 Mar 06 - 08:39 PM

Just reading a new book about Burton which seems promising, The highly civilized Man, Richard Burton and the Victorian world by Dane Kennedy, Harvard Univ. Press 2005. Takes a different kind of approach than previous bios. Chapter headings include The Gypsy, The Orientalist, The Impersonator, The Explorer, The Racist, The Relativist, The Sexologist. Quite a guy!

Subject: RE: Happy! - Mar 19 (Sir Richard Burton)
From: SINSULL
Date: 19 Mar 06 - 10:02 AM

If you haven't seen the movie "Mountains of the Moon", go rent it.In his younger days, Burton was somewhat of a rogue. Brilliant linguist, daring explorer, a reckless daredevil with a scar on his face (from taking a spear through his cheek) to prove it.
His diary of his journeys through the American West (St' Louis, at the time) is less than complimentary towards us colonials but a fascinating read.
He was, I believe, the first "white man" to enter Mecca and come out alive. His command of Arabic was that perfect.
Burton managed to piss off everyone around him and ended up a fifth rate public servant living out his life with a Catholic wife who saw fit to burn most of what she considered his pornography after his death. There have been several biographies published within the past ten years both about him and Mary.

Subject: Happy! - Mar 19 (Sir Richard Burton)
From: Abby Sale
Date: 19 Mar 06 - 09:22 AM


Happy Birthday!

Sir Richard Burton

was born 3/19/1821
(d.10/20/1890)

(Geez! Not the actor; the guy that did the unexpurgated translation of all the Arab folktales of 1001 Nights
- - the original version with the sexy stuff they never put on the shelves of your primary school.)

Early warning notice: This series of the Happy File noncontinues beginning April 16.
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