Jump to Content

Collection Guide
Collection Title:
Collection Number:
Get Items:
Burton-Smithers Papers: Finding Aid
mssHM 27955, mssHM 78887-79014  
View entire collection guide What's This?
Search this collection
Collection Overview
 
Table of contents What's This?
Description
This collection consists mainly of letters from Isabel Burton (1831-1896) and her husband, British explorer and writer Richard Burton (1821-1890), to their friend London publisher Leonard Charles Smithers (1861-1907) from 1885 to 1892; the collection also contains a printed prospectus for The Arabian Nights, a poem by Algernon Charles Swinburne, a photograph of Isabel Burton, and a lithograph of Richard Burton.
Background
Richard Francis Burton (1821-1890), was a British explorer, linguist, writer, diplomat and translator. He explored Africa, the Middle East, South America and Iceland, and translated, among many other titles, The Arabian Nights. Burton married Isabel Arundell (1831-1896), in 1861, and she, thereafter, accompanied Burton on many of his travels, and became his amanuensis and editor, as well as publishing her own travel volumes and an autobiography. Burton died of a heart attack on October 19, 1890, and Isabel Burton died from complications of ovarian cancer on March 22, 1896.
Extent
129 pieces in 2 boxes and 1 volume.
Restrictions
The Huntington Library does not require that researchers request permission to quote from or publish images of this material, nor does it charge fees for such activities. The responsibility for identifying the copyright holder, if there is one, and obtaining necessary permissions rests with the researcher.
Availability
Open to qualified researchers by prior application through the Reader Services Department. For more information, contact Reader Services.