Nelson & His World

Many of you will know the name John Quilliam - a Manxman - and 1st Lieutenant on the Victory at Trafalgar.

I remember reading some while back about a quite close relative/descendant who became a convert to Islam and tried to establish the Muslim religion in the U.K.

This evening I had the T.V. on but the sound was turned down. During the feature that was on the words Quilliam Foundation came on the screen.

I couldn't resist logging on to Wikipedia to see what it said.

The article is here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quilliam_Foundation

You see that the Foundation is named after William Abdullah Quilliam and therefore indirectly relates to Quilliam of Trafalgar.

It may be a name that becomes increasingly newsworthy. You are allowed to smile smugly to yourselves whenever it crops up!!

MB

There have been many English eccentrics/individualists who have been attracted to the Muslim world, particularly before the rise of the more fundamentalist Wahabis. It certainly seemed to be a benign culture if the many contemporary 18th century references are anything to go by.

I happen to be reading the 'Political and Literary Anecdotes of his own Times' by an 18th century cleric, Dr William Hill, who speaks highly of the Turks:

'These men are better Christians than are perhaps to be found in most parts of Christendom...not only eminent in their charities, but upon all oocasions ready to forgive one another. They have no duels in that country....they retain a grateful sense of any favours received...they persecute no one on account of his religion; and the inquisitions of Spain or Portugal they would abhor.'

My copy is covered in entertaining scribbles by a very early owner, judging by the use of 'f' for 's'. A typical expostulation: 'Why should any Englishman have a Latin epitaph?' he enquires crossly.

Perhaps the Quilliam Society was wise not to call itself the Digby Society after Lady Jane Digby - the daughter of Digby of the Africa at Trafalgar, who was married according to Muslim law - the climax of an exciting life!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lady_Jane_Digby