BURTON, Sir RICHARD (1821-1890), British Explorer and Scholar

Burton was best known during his lifetime for his extensive explorations of Asia, Africa, and South America. He spoke twenty-seven languages, and tried to examine other cultures on their own terms - when he visited Mecca, for example, he disguised himself as a Moslem, even to the point of being circumcised. His fifty books include the first English translation of The Arabian Nights to faithfully include its many homoerotic passages. Despite his marriage, Burton was not secretive about his homosexual activities, and was an early proponent of homosexual equality. After his death, his wife burned his journals and diaries, fearing they would taint his memory.