John D. Ray
John David Ray(born 22 December 1945) is a BritishEgyptologistand academic. He is the formerSir Herbert Thompson Professor of Egyptologyat theUniversity of Cambridge.His principal field of interest covers theLateandHellenisticperiods of Egypt, with special reference to documents in thedemotic script,and he is also known for deciphering theCarian script,a writing system used byAnatolianmercenaries who fought for the late-period Egyptians.
Early life
[edit]Ray was born on 22 December 1945. He was educated atLatymer Upper School,aprivate schoolin London. He went on to study atTrinity Hall, Cambridge.He graduatedBachelor of Arts(BA), later promoted toMaster of Arts(MA Cantab).[1]While at Cambridge, he was awarded theThomas YoungMedal for 'outstanding distinction in any branch of oriental archaeology'.[1][2]
Academic career
[edit]Following his graduation from university, Ray spent some of 1970 working at theBritish Museumas a research assistant in the Department of Egyptian Antiquities.[1][3]He then joined theUniversity of Birmingham,where he was aLectureinEgyptologyfrom 1970 to 1977.[4]In 1977, he joined theUniversity of Cambridgeas aReaderin Egyptology.[1][4]In 1979, he was elected aFellowofSelwyn Collegein addition to his university post.[1]He was promoted toProfessorand appointed to theSir Herbert Thompson Chair in Egyptologyin 2005.[4]
He retired in 2013 and was appointedprofessor emeritus.[1][5]
Personal life
[edit]Ray is married to The Reverend Sonia Falaschi-Ray, aChurch of Englandpriest.[6]
Honours
[edit]Ray was electedFellow of the Society of Antiquaries of London(FSA) on 11 May 2000.[7]In 2004, he was electedFellow of the British Academy(FBA).[4]
Works
[edit]- Reflections of Osiris: lives from ancient Egypt(Oxford University Press, 2002,ISBN978-0-19-515871-7)[8]
- The Rosetta Stone and the Rebirth of Ancient Egypt(Harvard University Press, 2007,ISBN978-0-674-02493-9).[9]
References
[edit]- ^abcdef"John David RAY".People of Today.Debrett's. Archived fromthe originalon 24 September 2015.Retrieved1 August2014.
- ^"Thomas Young Medal".Statutes and Ordinances of the University of Cambridge.University of Cambridge.Retrieved1 August2014.
- ^"Prof. John Ray".Division of Archaeology.University of Cambridge. Archived fromthe originalon 1 June 2015.Retrieved2 August2014.
- ^abcd"RAY, Professor John".British Academy Fellows.British Academy. Archived fromthe originalon 8 August 2014.Retrieved1 August2014.
- ^"Senior Members of Selwyn College".Selwyn College.Retrieved2 August2014.
- ^"Professor John Ray".Guest Speaker Details.Noble Caledonia.Retrieved2 August2014.
- ^"Fellows Directory - R".Society of Antiquaries of London. Archived fromthe originalon 24 September 2015.Retrieved2 August2014.
- ^Reviewed inThe Guardian,andTimes Higher Education.
- ^Reviewed inThe Times[dead link],The Washington Post,andNew Scientist.
