Richard Pocoke (1704-1765) was born at Southampton, some time in the year 1704. After having received a classical education, and acquired a knowledge of several oriental languages, he visited France and Italy; and in 1736, he set out on an expedition to the east. He travelled extensively in Egypt, Syria, Palestine and Turkey, returning to England in 1741. In 1743 he published, in one folio volume, an account of his travels, with maps and plates, under the title 'A Description of the East, and some other Countries', which was succeeded by two other volumes of the same size. He died in 1765.