Thompson, (Sir) Henry Francis Herbert

British Coptologist and Demotist. Born, London 1859. Died, Bath 1944. Educated at Marlborough College and Trinity College, Cambridge. Studied Law and was called to the Bar, but did not pursue this as a career. At the direction of his father he studied medicine, but work in the biological laboratories at University College, London threatened his eyesight. Encouraged by Petrie who he met during his time at University College, he embarked on his Egyptological career at the age of forty, studying with Griffith and Crum. He specialized in Coptic and Demotic, and became eminent in this field. Fellow, University College; Hon. D.Litt. Oxford; FBA. He assisted with the compilation of Crum's Coptic Dictionary. Published several Demotic and Coptic papyri as well as contributions towards other books. He left provision in his will for the foundation of a chair of Egyptology at Cambridge.

• Who Was Who in Egyptology (4th ed. 2012), 540 fig. (portrait).