Winwood reade biography

William Winwood Reade (26 December 1838 – 24 April 1875) was a British historian, explorer, novelist and philosopher.

His two best-known books, the universal history The Martyrdom of Man (1872) and the novel The Outcast (1875), were included in the Thinker's Library. Reade published one novel under the pseudonym, Francesco Abati.

Biography

Early life

Born in Perthshire, Scotland, in 1838, William Winwood Reade was a "scion of a wealthy landed family".

Having failed at Oxford University and, despite having composed two novels, "failed in any conventional sense as a novelist", Reade decided to begin geographical exploration.

Travels to Africa

Thus, at age 25, using his private funds and with sponsorship from the Royal Geographical Society, he departed for Africa, arriving in Cape Town by paddle steamer during 1862.

After several months of observing gorillas and travelling throug