Esse artigo tem por objetivo analisar a viagem do estudioso-aventureiro britânico Richard Francis Burton ao rio São Francisco, na segunda metade do século XIX. Esse autor vitoriano traz sua magnífica experiência etnográfica de desbravador dos usos e costumes de povos da África e Ásia para estabelecer um olhar atento e inquiridor sobre a população ribeirinha do rio São Francisco, numa análise comparativa também reveladora da ideologia imperialista da época. Entretanto, como Burton possuía enorme compreensão da vida nativa, seu relato de viagem recria a realidade observada, a partir do conhecimento adquirido em viagens, da sólida formação intelectual e de sua condição de diplomata, revelando-se como um documento importante da vida social e cultural do rio São Francisco na segunda metade do século XIX. _________________________________________________________________________________________ ABSTRACT: This article has the goal to analyze the travel of the British scholar and adventurer Richard Francis Burton to the São Francisco River, during the second half of the 19th century. This Victorian author brings his magnificent ethnographic experience in regard to his experience as a seeker of the uses and customs of the people of Africa and Asia to establish a certain look with attention about the local population of the São Francisco River, through a comparative and reveling analysis of the imperialist ideology of his time. However, as Burton had a exceptional comprehension of the native life, his travel report recreates the observed reality, as a result of his knowledge acquired through his expeditions, his solid intellectual formation and his condition as a diplomat, reveals to be a very important document about the social and cultural life of the São Francisco River at the second half 19th century.