What did a somewhat eccentric Anglican cleric, a Cambridge professor and a Harrow schoolmaster have in common? Developing interest in Islam during the Victorian period, they discovered spiritual and humanitarian value in what others could only depict as unmitigated evil. Their approach shows that Victorian perceptions of Islam were not monochrome, that some saw beyond stereotypical images. This book contrasts their conciliatory approach with the work of three Victorians who saw little if anything of value in Islam. One, William Muir, was a founding father of Orientalist scholarship. The others were missionaries. All wanted to confront Islam with Christian and European superiority. This book challenges the notion that language skills and encounter inevitably result in greater empathy. Rather, our assumptions color how we see others, whether encounter takes place in person or through literature. Assumptions that value can be found in all religions or that our religion, race and culture is superior, shape how and what we see. Against the geo-political backdrop of colonialism and Christian mission, this book analyses the contributions of six Victorians, illustrating how ideological presuppositions all but predetermined their assessment of Islam. The work of at least one of the conciliators attracted Muslim praise, while Muslims had little positive to say in response to the three who did not like Islam. Language acquisition and face-to-face encounter certainly have a great deal of merit. Yet they may be less important than imagination and willingness to see beauty in others with respect to “us”-“them” encounter.