Remembering Amelia Edwards this Pride Month
The 7th June 2025 marks 194 years since the birth of Amelia Ann Blanford Edwards (1831–1892), who founded the Egypt Exploration Society in 1882. Many already know of her impact upon British Egyptology — she was even called the 'Queen of Egyptology' on her passing. However, more information is coming to light about her personal life, including various relationships with other women, and her travels around Europe. SO, join us this Pride month as we share some of this new information with you.
In June 2025, we are releasing the next volume of our Spotlight Series, called Amelia B Edwards: The 'Queen of Egyptology'. In this book, Carl Graves explores the private life of Amelia B Edwards and unpacks her journey to founding the Egypt Exploration Society. This is the essential companion piece to Amelia's most famous work, A Thousand Miles Up the Nile which the EES republished in 2022. The book narrates Amelia's visit to Egypt and Nubia, but raises questions about how she perceived local Egyptians and her attitude towards antiquities laws at the time. A new introduction by Carl Graves and Anna Garnett (Petrie Museum, UCL) unpacks some of those contrroversial issues.
Read more about Amelia
To celebrate the launch of our latest Spotlight volume, you're invited to join us for a private viewing of our oil painting of Amelia Edwards currently on display at Bolton Museum. The evening will include speeches by Prof Joann Fletcher (University of York, and Lead EES Local Ambassador), Ian Trumble (Curator of Egyptology, Bolton Museum), and Dr Carl Graves (Director of the EES, and author of the latest Spotlight volume).
If you’re unable to join us for this special evening, then check out our online course later this month with the author of the book, Dr Carl Graves, in which he will delve into the fascinating life and legacy of our founder, Amelia B Edwards.
Join one of our events
We look forward to exploring with you this Pride month!
