Reginald Campbell Thompson

Reginald Campbell Thompson (1876–1941) was a British scholar specializing in archaeology and Assyriology, with a particular focus on cuneiform languages and ancient Mesopotamian sites. Educated at Cambridge in Oriental languages, he embarked on a career that included significant archaeological work at locations such as Nineveh and Ur. Thompson held positions at the British Museum and later became a Fellow of Merton College, Oxford, and Shillito Reader in Assyriology.

His professional life was marked by extensive fieldwork and academic contributions. He played a role in protecting antiquities during the Mesopotamian campaign in World War I and was associated with notable figures like T.E. Lawrence and Gertrude Bell. His research delved into ancient Babylonian and Assyrian texts, covering topics like magic, medicine, and astrology. Thompson also had a personal life, married with three children, and tragically lost a son in active service during WWII. He himself died while serving in the Home Guard during the war.

Reginald Campbell Thompson dedicated his career to the study of ancient Near Eastern civilizations, excelling as an archaeologist, Assyriologist, and cuneiformist. His extensive excavations spanned important Mesopotamian sites, including Nineveh, Ur, Nebo, and Carchemish. Thompson's academic journey began with a focus on Oriental languages at Cambridge, and he later served as an Assistant in the Egyptian and Assyrian Department of the British Museum. He also held academic appointments at the University of Chicago and, for a significant period, at Merton College, Oxford, where he eventually became the Shillito Reader in Assyriology. His work often involved deciphering and translating cuneiform inscriptions, providing insights into the history, beliefs, and practices of ancient Babylonian and Assyrian cultures.

Thompson's scholarly output significantly contributed to our understanding of Babylonian and Assyrian civilization, particularly concerning their magical, medical, and astrological traditions. His published works include seminal texts such as 'The Reports of the Magicians and Astrologers of Nineveh and Babylon,' 'The Devils and Evil Spirits of Babylonia,' and 'Assyrian Medical Texts.' He also explored the 'Assyrian Herbal,' shedding light on ancient botanical knowledge. His dedication to translating and analyzing these ancient documents provided valuable primary source material for subsequent research in the fields of ancient religion, magic, science, and daily life.

During his career, Thompson was deeply involved in archaeological fieldwork. He discovered the remains of the temple of Nabu at Nineveh and participated in excavations at various significant sites. His expertise was recognized during World War I when, as a captain in the Intelligence Service in Mesopotamia, he was recommended to oversee the protection of antiquities. This role was crucial in safeguarding historical artifacts during a period of conflict and political change in the region. Thompson also had connections with notable figures of the era, including T.E. Lawrence, whom he recruited for a dig, and Agatha Christie, whom he invited to an excavation site.