David Urquhart
1805–1877 (age 72)
Biography
David Urquhart earned respect as a thoughtful diplomat and writer who brought the distant concerns of the Ottoman world to the attention of his countrymen. His passionate advocacy for justice and his efforts to explain foreign cultures reflected a restless curiosity and a desire to build bridges where suspicion once stood.
He combined his diplomatic missions with a lively correspondence and practical works, from translations to descriptions of new customs, all intended to refine public discussion and remind readers of the broad fabric of humanity. Those who knew him valued his candor and his unwavering belief that knowledge could overcome indifference.