George Borrow
George Henry Borrow (5 July 1803 – 26 July 1881) was an English writer of novels and of travel books based on his personal experiences in Europe. During his travels, he developed a close affinity with the Romani people of Europe, who feature promin
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George Henry Borrow (5 July 1803 – 26 July 1881) was an English writer of novels and of travel books based on his personal experiences in Europe. During his travels, he developed a close affinity with the Romani people of Europe, who feature prominently in his work. His best-known books are
The Bible in Spain, and the novels
Lavengro and
The Romany Rye recalling his time with the English Romanichal (Gypsies).
Borrow was born at East Dereham, Norfolk, the son of an army recruiting officer, Thomas Borrow (1758–1824), and farmer's daughter, Ann Perfrement (1772–1858). His father, a lieutenant with the West Norfolk Militia, was quartered at the prisoner-of-war camp at Norman Cross from July 1811 to April 1813 and George spent his ninth and tenth years in the barracks there. He was educated at the Royal High School of Edinburgh and Norwich Grammar School.
Borrow studied law, but languages and literature became his main interests. In 1825, he began his first major European journey, walking in France and Germany. Over the next few years, he visited Russia, Portugal, Spain, and Morocco, acquainting himself with the people and languages of the countries he visited. After his marriage on 23 April 1840, he settled in Lowestoft, Suffolk, but continued to travel inside and outside the United Kingdom.
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