John Lewis Burckhardt

John Lewis Burckhardt
John Lewis Burckhardt (1784–1817) was a Swiss explorer and Orientalist known for his travels in the Middle East and North Africa. Fluent in Arabic, he journeyed under the alias "Sheikh Ibrahim," disguising himself as a Muslim to gain access to regions closed to non-Muslims. Burckhardt was the first European to rediscover the ancient city of Petra, which he described in his book "Travels in Syria and the Holy Land." He also explored Nubia and wrote "Travels in Nubia," providing detailed insights into African and Arabian geography and culture.

Author's Books:


SOME years have now elapsed since two distinct portions of Burckhardt’s works (his Travels in Nubia and Syria) were offered to the public, and most favourably received; their success being insured not only by instrinsic merit, but by the celebrity of their editor as a scholar and antiquary, a traveller and a geographer. It must not however be inferred, from any delay in publishing the present volume,... more...

JOURNAL OF A TOUR FROM DAMASCUS COUNTRIES OF THE LIBANUS, AND ANTI-LIBANUS. September 22, 1810.—I Left Damascus at four o'clock P.M. with a small caravan destined for Tripoli; passed Salehíe, and beyond it a Kubbe,[Kubbe, a cupola supported by columns or walls; the sepulchre of a reputed saint.] from whence I had, near sun-set, a most beautiful view of the city of Damascus and its... more...