Early Travels in Palestine: Comprising the Narratives of Arculf, Willibald, Bernard, Saewulf, Sigurd, Benjamin of Tudela, Sir John Maundeville, de

by Thomas Wright (Editor)

Early Travels in Palestine, first published in 1848, is a compilation of the writings and narratives of nine travelers of Palestine from various eras, ranging from the 8th Century to the late 17th century. Though the explorers are of different nationalities and religions, each experienced Palestine during a period of turmoil and recorded first-hand accounts of the events, people, topography, and culture. This book is ideal for students of Muslim, Jewish, or Biblical history, or for those interested in the many changes Palestine has experienced throughout the centuries. THOMAS WRIGHT (1810-1877) was an English writer, editor, and antiquarian born in Shropshire, near Ludlow, England. He graduated in 1834 from Trinity College at Cambridge University before moving to London to start his literary career. He contributed to many periodicals over his lifetime and helped to found several societies, including the British Archaeological Association and the Shakespeare Society. He was a fellow of the Society of Antiquaries and a corresponding member of the Acad mie des Inscriptions et Belles Lettres of Paris, among others. He remains most well-known for his editorial work on ancient Middle Eastern tomes.

Genres: History

552 pages, Paperback

First published July 15, 2003

About the author

Thomas Wright was an English antiquarian and writer. Wright was born near Ludlow, Shropshire, descended from a Quaker family formerly living at Bradford. He was educated at Ludlow Grammar School and at Trinity College, Cambridge, whence he graduated in 1834.

While at Cambridge he contributed to the Gentleman's Magazine and other periodicals, and in 1835 he came to London to devote himself to a literary career.

His first separate work was Early English Poetry in Black Letter, with Prefaces and Notes (1836, 4 vols. 12mo), which was followed during the next forty years by an extensive series of publications, many of lasting value. He helped to found the British Archaeological Association and the Percy, Camden and Shakespeare Societies. In 1842 he was elected corresponding member of the Académie des Inscriptions et Belles Lettres of Paris, and was a fellow of the Society of Antiquaries as well as member of many other learned British and foreign bodies.

In 1859 he superintended the excavations of the Roman town of Viroconium Cornoviorum (Wroxeter), near Shrewsbury, and issued a report.

A portrait of him is in the Drawing Room Portrait Gallery for 1 October 1859.

He was a great scholar, but will be chiefly remembered as an industrious antiquary and the editor of many relics of the Middle Ages.