Timbuctoo the Mysterious

'This book is an English translation of Tombouctou la mystérieuse, published in Paris the same year. The author, Felix Dubois (1862-1945), was a French journalist who in 1895 travelled from Paris to Dakar, Senegal, and from there down the River Niger in what was then called French Sudan. From there he proceeded to the ancient city of Timbuktu. Citing an old Sudanese chronicle that called Timbuktu 'the meeting-place of all who travel by camel or canoe,' Dubois highlighted the city's importance as a commercial centre and transportation hub. The city was also an important literary and religious center--the home to many mosques, libraries, and the University of Sankoré, whose founding dates to the 10th century and the establishment of the Sankoré mosque' (Library of Congress).