Collection Dewey MSS - John Frederick Dewey Collection

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Identity area

Reference code

Dewey MSS

Title

John Frederick Dewey Collection

Date(s)

  • c. 1980s - 2000s (Creation)

Level of description

Collection

Extent and medium

21 boxes and 1 oversize box

Context area

Name of creator

(1934-2017)

Biographical history

29 September 1934 to 1 November 2017.
Born the youngest of 5 John grew up in South East London. During the war all of the children were sent out of London to live with other evacuee children in the countryside. It was discovered that he was the cleverest one in the family and went to Coffs Grammar School, where he was a keen member of the debating society, football, rugby and cricket teams.
In 1952 John went to King’s College, University of London, where he studied languages, and in 1955 he was awarded a B.A. Honours Degree in Modern Languages. He also gained a Diploma for Teaching English as a Foreign Language from Bonn University in Germany. His high level of language qualifications meant that he was taken on as a Graduate Trainee with Henry Gardner & Co, London.
John was appointed as a director of Henry Gardner & Co. and stayed with the company until 1974. His work entailed many overseas trips and he was heavily involved with the London Metal Exchange. In 1979 he was appointed director of the newly formed Strategic Metal Corporation and he stayed with that company until his retirement in 1989 at the age of 55.
It was during retirement that John’s love of Egypt and all things Egyptian really took over. He joined his wife, Peggy, who had been running Egyptology classes from mid-1988 for the Kent Adult Education community. Together they were instrumental in forming RAMASES, the Rainham & Medway & Swale Egypt Society. Once a year, John and Peggy took a party of students and other RAMASES Society Members on a trip to Egypt, often gaining access to sites not available to the Public. They arranged transport and accommodation, employing local guides and also formed lifelong friendships with other Egyptologists.
Holidays were spent in places such as Syria, Cyprus, Lebanon and Tunisia where anything of an archaeological nature was scrutinised, read about and discussed. Shorter trips to European cities were also organised for students, with the emphasis on Egyptian Exhibitions. Sadly, Peggy passed away in 2003 but John, with the support of his many Egyptology friends gained over the years, continued with his classes and trips.

Name of creator

(1934-2003)

Biographical history

12 March 1934 to 29 January 2003.
She ran Egyptology classes from mid 1988 for the Kent Adult Education community. Together with her husband John F. Dewey, she was instrumental in forming RAMASES, the Rainham & Medway & Swale Egypt Society. Once a year, John and Peggy took a party of students and other RAMASES Society Members on a trip to Egypt, often gaining access to sites not available to the Public. They arranged transport and accommodation, employing local guides and also formed lifelong friendships with other Egyptologists.
Holidays were spent in places such as Syria, Cyprus, Lebanon and Tunisia where anything of an archaeological nature was scrutinised, read about and discussed. Shorter trips to European cities were also organised for students, with the emphasis on Egyptian Exhibitions. Sadly, Peggy passed away in 2003 but John, with the support of his many Egyptology friends gained over the years, continued with his classes and trips.

Archival history

Formerly in the possession of Mr John F. Dewey.

Immediate source of acquisition or transfer

Mr John F. Dewey bequest; presented by Mr David Huggins in July 2018.

Content and structure area

Scope and content

C. 10,500 colour slides (35mm) mostly of Egypt (temples, tombs and other ancient monuments), but also of different countries in the Middle East (Syria, Persia, Turkey, etc.) as well as the Far East. They are cross-referenced with an extensive card index and cover a period from the early 1980s until the early 2000s. They consist of images from virtually every site in the Egyptian Delta region and the Nile Valley.

Appraisal, destruction and scheduling

Accruals

System of arrangement

Kept as received.

Conditions of access and use area

Conditions governing access

Property of the Griffith Institute. No restrictions.

Conditions governing reproduction

Copyright Griffith Institute, University of Oxford.

Language of material

  • English

Script of material

Language and script notes

Physical characteristics and technical requirements

No problems.

Finding aids

Card index.

Allied materials area

Existence and location of originals

These are originals.

Existence and location of copies

Not known.

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Physical storage

  • Shelf: 0821