The history graduate who become one of Scotland’s greatest archaeologists

Born in Wick in 1833, Alexander Henry Rhind studied Scottish history at Edinburgh University before going on to become one of the foremost archaeologists of his time – he pioneered archaeological recording in Egypt in the 1850s.

After graduating, he developed a keen interest in the history of his native region, leading the excavation of various prehistoric sites in 1851.

He then embarking on a journey across Europe, visiting antiquarian museums in Italy, Austria, Switzerland, Prussia, Holland and Denmark.

His reputation for meticulous mapping led to his recognition as a fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland at the unconventional age of 19.

Rhind had pulmonary disease and sought warmer climates from which to conduct his work, leading him to focus on Egypt. He travelled extensively, excavating sites at Thebes (now Luxor) and Giza, and published several books, despite his ill health. He also donated extensive collections to the National Museum of Antiquities of Scotland, which would later become part of the National Museum of Scotland.

He is responsible for many of the items in its ancient Egypt collection, which features around 6,000 objects.

He was on his way back to Scotland after taking ill in Egypt in 1863 when he died in his sleep at Lake Como, in Italy.

He left his 1,600-volume library to the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland. His will also led to the founding of two scholarships at Edinburgh University, the establishment of an orphan institution for girls in Wick, and the endowment of an annual archaeological lecture series that runs to this day.