GAYANGOS AND BURTON

In an article of mine, and apropos of the supposed lack of interest of Spaniards in language learning, I mentioned Hispanic polyglots like Juan Valera, Eduardo Benot, Ángel Ganivet, Unamuno... but somehow I forgot Don Pascual de Gayangos (1809-1890), the great Arabist, who made translations into English. Rereading Edward Rice's Captain Sir Richard Francis Burton, I came across this: "One of the few fortuitous experiences of the year for Burton came when Dr. Greemhill introduced him to don Pascual de Gayangos, the Spanish Arabist." Sir Richard Burton spoke 29 languages, read them, and wrote in them. He became a famous Arabic translator, like Gayangos. A chance encounter of two linguists and Arabists.