WEISSBACH, Franz Heinrich. Chemnitz 25.11.1865 — Markkleeberg near Leipzig 20.2.1944. German Assyriologist. Librarian in Leipzig. Son of Franz Robert Weissbach, a hat maker, and Clara Auguste Leonhardt. Gymnasium in Zwickau. From 1885 studies of classical and Oriental (F. Delitzsch) philology and theology at Leipzig. Ph.D. 1889 Leipzig. From 1888 working…
RAWLINSON, Henry Creswicke (Sir Henry). Chadlington Park, Oxfordshire 11.4.1810 — London 5.3.1895. Bart. British Pioneer of Near Eastern Archaeology. Son of Abram Tyson R., a breeder of racehorses, and Eliza Creswicke, brother of —> George R. Educated at Wrington and Ealing schools, became early interested in ancient history. In the…
OPPERT, Jules (Julius O.). Hamburg 9.7.1825 — Paris 20/21.8.1905. German Assyriologist in France (naturalised 1854), originally also interested in Sanskrit. Professor in Paris. Son of Eduard Oppert (until 1812 Oppenheimer, 1792–1874) and Henriette Gans (1800–1875), brother of —> Gustav Oppert (1836–1908) and ErnstJacob Oppert (1832–1903, merchant in Shanghai). Educated at…
MENANT, Joachim. Cherbourg 16.4.1820 — Paris 30.8.1899. French Assyriologist, with early interest in Iranian religion. Son of Joachim Menant and Amable Boissière, educated in Cherbourg. He became a lawyer (studies at Caen) and worked in administrative positions in different towns, finally from 1872 in Rouen, until retirement in 1890. Last…
LUZZATO, Philosenno (Philosseno, Philoxène). Padova 10.7.1829 — Padova 25.1.1854. Italian/Austrian (Jewish) Oriental Scholar. Son of the famous Jewish scholar Samuel David L. (1800–1865). As child he learned Hebrew from his father and in the age of 15 made an attempt at deciphering the Cuneiform writing. He read Akkadian Cuneiform as…
KÖNIG, Friedrich Wilhelm. Adlerkosteletz (Kostelic nad Orlici), Bohemia 7.1.1897 — Vienna 5.2.1972. Austrian Historian of Ancient Iran and the Near East. Son of railway officer, educated in Vienna. Voluntary in Russian front 1915-17, lost his left leg and one eye. Now continued his studies of Sanskrit, Iranian and Arabic. Ph.D.…
KING, Leonard William. London 8.12.1869 — 20.8.1919. British Archaeologist and Assyriologist. Professor in London. Son of Robert King (d. 1886) and Mary Scarborough, educated at Rugby and King’s College, Cambridge (B.A. 1891, M.A. 1895, D.litt. 1914). From 1892 in British Museum, working under Wallis Budge, from 1913 Assistant Keeper of…
HINCKS, Edward. Cork 19.8.1792 — Killyleagh, county Down 3.12.1866. Rev. Irish Priest and Oriental Scholar. The eldest son of the Presbyterian minister and naturalist Thomas Dix H. (1767–1857), whose father came in 1767 from Chester to Dublin, and Anne Boult. Educated at home and at Middleton College in Cork, from…
HALÉVY, Joseph. Adrianople (now Edirne) 15.12.1827 — Paris 21.1.1917. French (originally Turkish Jew) Epigraphist, Semitist and Traveller. Professor in Paris, naturalized Frenchman. Taught Hebrew in Jewish schools in Adrianople and Budapest (or Bucharest?), studied Oriental languages and archaeology. In 1865 came to Paris. In disguise of a Rabbi from Jerusalem…