Omnibus E.A. Wallis Budge (Entry 161.IS1901)
Dec 26, 2025
Discover the extraordinary life of E.A. Wallis Budge, who rose from humble beginnings as a Cornish housekeeper's son to a key figure in Egyptology. Learn about his self-taught language skills and dramatic career moves, including a questionable heist of the Papyrus of Ani. Dive into his notorious practices and fierce rivalries with contemporaries, all while exploring his prolific publications and ties to the occult. Budge's story is one of ambition, controversy, and lasting impact in the world of archaeology.
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From Cornish Orphan To Museum Insider
- E. A. Wallis Budge rose from a Cornish orphan to a self-taught linguist who taught himself Hebrew at eight and Syriac soon after.
- He used patronage, lunch-break library access, and charm to move from W.H. Smith clerk to British Museum circles.
Archaeology As Imperial Competition
- Late 19th-century archaeology matured into an imperial competition for antiquities tied to colonial control.
- Museums used legal and informal channels to amass foreign collections amid nascent local antiquities regulation.
The 'Master Of Skulls' Episode
- On his first funded trip Budge bribed officials and bought widely, returning chiefly with mummies and skulls for Cambridge anatomists.
- He earned the macabre nickname "Master of Skulls" after sending hundreds of remains back to Britain.
