James Bruce
traveller, travel writer
James Bruce Rank
About James Bruce
James Bruce was a renowned Scottish explorer and travel writer of his time. The explorer is famed for being the first European to discover the source of the Blue Nile. He furthered etched his name as a fascinating historical figure with his exploits, including being the first modern explorer of tropical Africa and introducing the Western world to Ethiopia.
Family Life
He attended Harrow School and Edinburgh University.
Exploits
Before being appointed Consul General of Algiers in 1762, he first traveled widely within Europe. In 1769, after traveling first up the Nile and then down the Red Sea, he arrived in Massawa, the principal port of what would later become the Eritrean province of Ethiopia.
He collected comprehensive oral histories of Ethiopia's past and made observations about the country's situation in the late 18th century.
His vivid description of his journeys, which is regarded as one of the great works of African adventure fiction, was first written in 1780 when he retired.
Death
The famed explorer passed away after he succumbed to injuries that he sustained from tripping over his stairs.
James Bruce Rank
F.A.Q. about James Bruce
When is his birthday?
James Bruce's birthday is on December 14, 1730.
In how many days is his birthday?
James' birthday is in 261 days
How old was James when he died?
He was 63 years old.
When did he die?
He died in April 27, 1794.
How old would he be today?
James Bruce would be 293 years old if he was alive today.
Where was James from?
He was born in Kinnaird, Stirlingshire.