There's some kookiness that goes on even today, or especially so, about Schliemann. The fact is, he revolutionized archaeology; he busted the haid of the anti-literalists, who were in fact opposed to the teaching of the classics and classical languages; and he was one of the pioneers of the concept of prehistory. What we see today are groundless accusations that he faked the so-called Mask of Agamemnon, destroyed more than he discovered, was a fraud, huckster, phony, etc etc.
The fact is, without these men archaeology would have not captured the popular imagination and would have been mired in the realm of obscure studies, and funding for many of the projects which we have benefitted from would never have happened.
One of the things I most admire about Schliemann was his determination that Homer contained a great deal of factual truth, and he determined to prove it.
Many of the older fables and legends have since been proven true as well. Biblical archaeology has especially benefitted from the idea that the texts contained historical fact.
Archaeology owes a great deal to Schliemann.
They went after him because he believed that literature contained authentic history.
The man believed in the place when most thought Troy was mythological. He found the correct longitude and latitude--just dug a little too deep.
I admire him.