DALTON, Ormonde Maddock. Cardiff 30.1.1866 — Holford, Somerset 2.2.1945. British Art Historian and Classical Scholar, a Specialist of Early Christian Art. Son of Thomas Masters D., a lawyer, and Emily Mansford, educated at Harrow and at New College, Oxford. Travelled in France, Germany, and India. Served in British Museum, British and Medieval Antiquities: from 1895 as Assistant, from 1909 as Assistant Keeper, from 1922 as Keeper. From 1922 fellow of British Academy. Retired in 1928, lived then in Bath. Unmarried.

Publications: With H. Read, Antiquities from the City of Benin. 61 p. 32 pl. L. 1899.

– Treasure of the Oxus. 137 p. L. 1905, 2nd ed. 1926.

– A number of catalogues of British Museum collections, especially of Christian art, often full books.

– Translated: Letters of Sidonius Apollinaris. 1-2. Oxford 1915; Gregory of Tours: History of the Franks. 1-2. Oxford 1927.

– With nom-de-plume W. Compton Leith wrote three novels: Apologia Diffidentis. 1908; Sirenica. 1913; Domus Doloris. 1919.

Sources: G. Hill, Proc. of the British Academy 1945, 357-373; J.L. Myres & H.J. Braunholtz, Man 46, 1946, 43f.; *M. Pottle, Oxford D.N.B.; Wikipedia briefly; photo in National Portrait Gallery homepage.