Griffith Institute Archive

Description of material

This description is based on the General International Standard Archival Description ISAD(G)

1. Identity statement

Reference code n/a

Title Thompson MSS.

Dates of creation of the material Before 1939.

Extent 8 card index boxes.

2. Context

Name of creator Thompson, Sir Henry Francis Herbert (1859-1944).

Administrative and biographical history
British Coptologist and Demotist. Born, London 1859. Died, Bath 1944. Educated at Marlborough College and Trinity College, Cambridge. Studied Law and was called to the Bar, but did not pursue this as a career. At the direction of his father he studied medicine, but work in the biological laboratories at University College, London threatened his eyesight. Encouraged by Petrie who he met during his time at University College, he embarked on his Egyptological career at the age of forty, studying with Griffith and Crum. He specialized in Coptic and Demotic, and became eminent in this field. Fellow, University College; Hon. D.Litt. Oxford; FBA. He assisted with the compilation of Crum's Coptic Dictionary. Published several Demotic and Coptic papyri as well as contributions towards other books. He left provision in his will for the foundation of a chair of Egyptology at Cambridge.
See Who Was Who in Egyptology (3rd ed. 1995), 414-15.

Custodial history In W. E. Crum's custody in 1939.

Immediate source of acquisition Presented to the Griffith Institute at Sir H. Thompson's request by W. E. Crum in 1939.

3. Content and structure

Scope and content Greek dictionary card index, used in the compilation of W. E. Crum's Coptic Dictionary.

System of arrangement Kept as received.

4. Access and use

Legal status Property of the Griffith Institute.

Access conditions No restrictions.

Copyright conditions Copyright Griffith Institute, Oxford.

Language of material Greek and English.

Physical characteristics No problems.

Finding aids None.

5. Allied materials area

Location of originals These are originals.

Existence of copies None.

Related units of description W. E. Crum MSS.

Associated material Not known.

Publications Used in the preparation of W. E. Crum's Coptic Dictionary.

Notes

(April 28, 2003)