Christine el-Mahdy Has Died
The director and staff of the Tutankhamun Exhibition were very saddened to hear the news of the death of Christine el -Mahdy (nee Hobson). Christine was a passionate free thinking Egyptologist who has done much to bring the wonders and mystery of ancient Egypt to many, who, without her enthusiasm would never had experienced it. Through her many books and as chair of the Egyptian Society (Taunton) she brought the world of ancient Egypt to a wide audience. Her many books, included Mummies, Myths and Magic , Exploring the World of the Pharaohs, and perhaps the most popular, Tutankhamen – the life and death of a boy king.
Christine’s fascination with Egypt started at an early age. By the age of nine she had taught herself to read hieroglyphs. She liked communicating and saw teaching as a way to express this. She studied education at Manchester and Liverpool, obtaining a degree and diploma in Egyptology. She has worked in the Egyptian departments of Bolton Museum and Liverpool University Museum. In 1988 she founded the Egyptian Society based in Taunton.
Christine often brought her students to the Tutankhamun Exhibition in Dorchester and is remembered with affection by all she came in contact with.
March 22nd, 2008 at 2:32 am
I am deeply saddened to hear of the death of my favorite author. I read her book concerning Tutankhamen several years ago. Her interpretation of the New Kingdom was fascinating. Her insightfulness and the intriguing fashion in which she wrote coupled with her manner of presenting facts was masterful. She is, in my humble opinion, one of the most esteemed authors on Egyptology. I will greatly miss her writings.
April 10th, 2008 at 12:16 am
As a former student at the BCES, I only got to know Christine via letters and phone calls, but appreciated her interest in all things Egyptian and her help and friendly advice. Many will be saddened by her passing. Knowing her interest in Celtic history may I bid farewell with an old Celtic wish:
May her great soul stand at the right hand of God!
Tom.