This book features an original manuscript diary account by a leading Victorian journalist, William Simpson and recounts his experiences during a military expedition by the British army into the heart of Ethiopia (then called Abyssinia) in 1868. The introductory materials by Richard Pankhurst, Peter Harrington and Frederic A. Sharf, and the explanatory notes by Richard Pankhurst, give context and historical background to make the account meaningful to the modern reader.

The Expedition to Magdala of 1867-1868 was a memorable event in British military history, in the history of warfare in general, and in the history of Ethiopia. Meticulously planned and executed, the campaign was a triumph for its commander, Sir Robert Napier. It also sealed the fate of the Ethiopian Emperor Tewodros, or Theodore, II, who committed suicide rather than to fall in the hands of his enemies. Manuscripts and other loot taken from Magdala subsequently contributed significantly to the advancement of Ethiopian studies in Europe, but restitution to Ethiopia is now actively demanded. The expedition was notable for the use of elephants imported from India, the building of a port railway, and the use of breech-loading rifles, the first time they employed in war.

“The diary and illustrations of Victorian war artist and war correspondent William Simpson provides a fascinating insight into one of the most bizarre military expeditions ever undertaken by the British army: a nine-month incursion at vast cost, from late 1867 until mid-1868, deep into the interior of the Ethiopian highlands in order to bring about the release of the British consul and other captives of the emperor Towodros II (or Theodore). Many of Simpson’s sketches were reproduced in the Illustrated London News and together with his accompanying reports, they reflect not only the need to record the military aspects of Napier’s campaign for the magazine’s readers but also his interest in the culture, customs and ceremonies of an ancient, remote and mountain-locked outpost of Christianity. Simpson’s interests extend further to the region’s flora, fauna and topography. The Napier expedition these days may be an obscure episode in the annals of British military history, but in Ethiopia itself its effects still resonate to this day: not least in the looting of manuscripts and other treasures by British troops at Magdala. The campaign for their restitution to Ethiopia remains and will continue as a live and burning issue. The publication of Simpson’s diary is long overdue, and Tsehai Publishers is to be warmly thanked for making this possible."

-- Stephen Bell, a writer on Ethiopian history and an authority on the Napier expedition.

“It is remarkable indeed that the Diary of a Journey to Abyssinia: 1868, written and illustrated by William Simpson, has remained unpublished for almost a century and a half. Anyone interested in the land and people of Ethiopia must welcome the appearance of the Diary of a Journey.”

-- Sven Rubenson, Author of King of Kings Tewodros of Ethiopia.

“This manuscript is the unearthing of a hitherto buried scholarly treasure regarding a critical era in the long history of the ‘Hidden Empire,’ much like an archeological find of immense national significance. The primary assignment of the accomplished Scottish artist and writer William Simpson was to ‘record in pictures the British military campaign against the Emperor Theodore.’ But Simpson treats us to much more. This book makes original, essential, and multi-dimensional contributions to the study of Ethiopian history, antiquities, and ethnography. I recommend it highly.”

-- Worku Negash, Ph.D. Senior Editor of Ethiopian Review Magazine and Dean of Mission College, Santa Clara, CA. 

“This is a great contribution to the study of Ethiopia and the British expedition to Ethiopia.”

-- Richard Snailham, author of A Guide to Magdala

Professor Richard Pankhurst is Sylvia Pankhurst's only child and was an adult throughout much of the period covered by this book. Using largely unpublished materials, he traces his mother's opposition to Italian Fascism and advocacy of Ethiopian independence.

The author, who bore witness to his mother's political activities on behalf of Ethiopia, and other victims of Fascism, is a historian of the country where he resides with his wife Rita. He has written extensively on many aspects of Ethiopian history, and is the author of a biography of his mother's earlier life, Sylvia Pankhurst: Artist.