Wilfrid Scawen Blunt

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Wilfrid Scawen Blunt

1840-1922

British poet and traveler who traveled extensively in the Middle East and India, and championed anti-imperialist measures on behalf of Egyptian, Irish, and Indian nationalists. From 1859-70 Blunt served in seven countries for Britain's Diplomatic Service. Between 1875 and 1904 he made many visits to the Middle East. His adventures included traveling dressed as a Bedouin, visiting desert tribes, following ancient caravan routes, and journeying through hundreds of miles of uninhabited desert.