Richard Francis Burton

Sir Richard Francis Burton (March 19, 1821-October 20, 1890) was an English explorer, translator, writer, poet, soldier, and diplomat. He was famous for his travels across Africa and the Arab world. Burton translated many works of Arab literature. Most notably, he translated the 10-volume The Book of the Thousand Nights and a Night (1885), commonly known as The Arabian Nights. Risking his life, Burton famously disguised himself as a Muslim to gain access to the holy sites in Mecca.