Wilkinson, Sir John Gardner (1797-1875)

Three letters to a Mrs Smith a Sir Jasper and an unknown recipient (only last page), all undated.

c.mid-19th century

3 letters

Provenance details not recorded

Distinguished Egyptologist. Between 1821 and 1833 Wilkinson travelled extensively in Egypt, learnt Coptic and Arabic, continued his study of hieroglyphics (which had begun in 1819 under Sir William Gell), and surveyed and recorded the remains of ancient Egyptian society, notably the tombs at the site of Thebes. His most extensive work, published originally in 1837 and 1841, was Manners and Customs of the Ancient Egyptians. He was knighted in 1839.

Archives and Manuscripts, Wellcome Library, on-line catalogue