Richard F. Burton: The Most Interesting Man Who Ever Lived

Birth and Early Life

Richard F. Burton, aka Richard Francis Burton, aka The Most Interesting Man Who Ever Lived, was born on March 19, 1821, in Torquay, England. He was a British explorer, geographer, translator, writer, soldier, spy, poet, diplomat, and all-around badass.

Burton’s childhood was rather unremarkable, except for the fact that he learned to speak almost 30 languages before he was 20 years old. Yes, 30 languages. He also learned how to swordfight, shoot a gun, ride a horse, and charm the ladies.

Education and Early Career

Burton went to Oxford University, where he majored in “being awesome” and minored in “showing off.” He excelled in both fields.

After Oxford, Burton joined the British Army, where he became a captain in the Indian army. He traveled widely throughout India, learned several more languages, and engaged in various top-secret missions for the British government.

Explorations and Adventures

In 1853, Burton left India and began his most famous expedition: the journey to find the source of the Nile River. He traveled through Africa, encountering lions, crocodiles, and hostile tribes along the way. He also managed to seduce the queen of a tribe, which he wrote about in his book “First Footsteps in East Africa.”

Burton’s expeditions continued throughout his life, and he visited places like Arabia, Syria, Iceland, and Brazil. He even disguised himself as a Muslim pilgrim and snuck into the holy city of Mecca, which was forbidden to non-Muslims.

Literary Career

In addition to his adventures, Burton was also an accomplished writer. He translated famous works like “The Arabian Nights” and “The Kama Sutra” (yes, that Kama Sutra) into English. He also wrote numerous books about his travels and experiences, including “Pilgrimage to Medina and Mecca,” “Wanderings in West Africa,” and “Personal Narrative of a Pilgrimage to Al-Madinah and Mecca.”

Burton’s writing was known for its humor, wit, and sheer audacity. He was unafraid to write about taboo subjects and was often criticized for his frankness. But Burton didn’t care - he was too busy being the most interesting man who ever lived.

Final Years

Burton died on October 20, 1890, at the age of 69. He had accomplished more in his life than most people could even dream of. He was a true Renaissance man - or, as he might have put it, a “Jack of all trades and master of all.”

In conclusion, Richard F. Burton was a man of legend. He was a fearless adventurer, a brilliant writer, and a master of languages, swords, and seduction. He was the ultimate alpha male, the epitome of cool, and the inspiration for countless other adventurers and explorers. So the next time you’re feeling bored or unadventurous, just remember: WWBBD? (What Would Burton Do?)