Blunt, Wilfrid Scawen, 1840-1922

Biography

Wilfred Scawen Blunt was born on August 17, 1840 in Sussex, England. He was educated at Twyford School, Stonyhurst, and at St Mary's College, Oscott. In 1858, he joined the Diplomatic Service where he stayed until 1869. In 1869, Blunt married Lady Anne Noel, the daughter of the Earl of Lovelace and Ada Lovelace, and granddaughter of Lord Byron. Together the Blunts travelled through Spain, Algeria, Egypt, the Syrian Desert, and extensively in the Middle East and India. Based upon pure-blooded Arabian horses they obtained in Egypt and the Nejd, they co-founded Crabbet Arabian Stud, and later purchased a property near Cairo, named Sheykh Obeyd which housed their horse breeding operation in Egypt. In 1882, he championed the cause of Urabi Pasha, which led him to be banned from entering Egypt for four years. Blunt generally opposed British imperialism as a matter of philosophy. His support for Irish causes led to his imprisonment in 1888. As a writer he published poetry and prose including "Secret History of the English Occupation of Egypt (1907)," "The Future of Islam," "India under Ripon: A Private Diary," "Griselda: A Society Novel in Rhymed Verse" and "Satan Absolved: A Victorian Mystery." Blunt died on September 10, 1922.

Found in 1 Collection or Record: