James Hamilton in Tripoli, 1855–1856. The strange sequel toWanderings in North Africa

Abstract

AbstractA short note was published in the 1999 volume ofLibyan Studieswith the title ‘Cyrene. Other Men's Memories’. This note proceeded on the circumstances that virtually all early participants in the exploration and excavation of Cyrene, being adventurous men in an expansive age, carried memories of Cyrene to distant parts of the world. James Hamilton, the author of the travel-book,Wanderings in North Africawas included in the roll call of these men. However, it was observed that, exceptionally, nothing could be stated with certainty about him after his journey through Cyrenaica to Egypt (or for that matter, before his arrival in Cyrenaica). Therefore instead of referring to his later memories of Cyrene, note was taken of very unusual memories which he records came to him while in Cyrene. Recently, documentary information concerning Hamilton has come to light, and it is now possible to speak reliably about his activities in the years immediately following his travels to Cyrenaica. In this way it can be said that his immediate memories of Cyrene had the most untoward and unexpected setting imaginable.