Halsted B. Vander Poel Campanian collection - Calisphere

Series X. Non-Campanian materials, circa 1570-1996, bulk, 1932-1992
Series X.B. Margaret Murray papers, 1905-1954, undated
Box 463, Folder
1-14
Box 463, Folder
1-5
INVENTORY OF THE HALSTED B.
VANDER POEL CAMPANIAN
COLLECTION, circa 1570-1997
Series X.B. Margaret Murray papers, 1905-1954, undated
Physical Description: 0.4 linear feet
Scope and Content Note
Margaret Alice Murray was born in India in 1863 to British parents. She returned to
England in 1886 and in January 1894 enrolled in University College, London for classes in
Egyptology with the recently appointed professor, W. M. Flinders Petrie. Trained by Petrie
and his assistants, Murray would become the first woman to work full-time as an
Egyptologist. She remained at University College, where she was appointed as a junior
lecturer in 1898 and progressed through the academic ranks becoming an Assistant
Professor in 1924. She was awarded an honorary doctorate in 1931.
While Petrie spent his time in the field, Murray's role was to remain in London, teaching
the classes, which would prepare students to be sent out to Petrie in Egypt, running the
administrative end of the Department of Egyptology and maintaining the Petrie Museum.
This meant that the author of over eighty books and articles on ancient Egypt was only
able to excavate with Petrie in Egypt for one season, at Abydos in 1902. Still, Murray
found other outlets for her interest in field work, excavating in the summers in Malta,
Minorca and Petra, as well as in England. Murray also had other interests in addition to
Egyptology. She was an early suffragist and may be best known to the general public for
her numerous publications on folklore and witchcraft. A gifted teacher, Murray retired
from University College, London in 1935, having trained two generations of Egyptologists.
She led an active retirement, remaining connected to the University until her death in
1963.
The majority of Margaret Murray's papers are held by University College, London. The
material held by Vander Poel is limited, including a small selection of letters, lecture
texts, and drawings for publication. The letters documenting the conflicts of the 1932
excavation season at Tell el Ajjul are especially important for the insight they provide on
the late career of Sir Flinders Petrie.
Letters, 1924-1953, undated
Letters relating to excavations at Tell el Ajjul, 1932
Box 463, Folder 1 Colt, H. Dunscombe, 30 Jan 1932
Physical Description: 1 letter (4 leaves)
Scope and Content Note
Box 463, Folder 2 Corbett, C. K., 6 Apr 1932
General report: Lady Petrie interfering less, but still a problem; excavations in
the cemetery going well, but not so on the tell; illnesses of the staff.
Physical Description: 1 letter (1 leaf)
Scope and Content Note
Forwarding letters from Mrs. Petrie; problems at excavation, but since one can't
change the Petries, one must change the staff.
Box 463, Folder 3 Petrie, Flinders, 31 March 1932
Box 463, Folder
4-5
Physical Description: 1 letter (4 leaves)
Scope and Content Note
Response to a letter from Murray urging "self-control": Colt is the source of the
discord and is trying to drive him out.
Petrie, Hilda, 1932
2002.M.16 427