Born: 1857 (Didlington Hall near Swaffham, west Norfolk, England)
Died: 1919
Biography:
Mary Rothes Margaret Cecil, 2nd Baroness Amherst of Hackney, OBE (née Mary Rothes Margaret Tyssen-Amherst; 25 April 1857 – 21 December 1919) was a British hereditary peer, charity worker, amateur archaeologist, and ornithologist. She was one of the few English women to have held a peerage in her own right and made significant contributions to archaeology and ornithology.
Born on 25 April 1857 in Didlington Hall near Swaffham in west Norfolk, England, Mary, known as May to her family, came from a privileged background. Her father, William Amhurst Tyssen-Amhurst, was a collector of books and antique artifacts, with a particular interest in Egyptian antiquities. He had one of the largest collections of artifacts in England and instilled in May a fascination for Egyptology from a young age.
May’s mother, Margaret Susan Tyssen-Amhurst, was a skilled woodcarver and needleworker. Her maternal grandfather, Admiral Robert Mitford, served in the Royal Navy and was a naturalist who studied engraving and bird illustration. Growing up in this environment, May and her six younger sisters were taught the importance of education, caring for the poor and sick, and the necessity of building institutions to foster the health and welfare of society.
As a child, May studied painting, music, and domestic arts, as well as horsemanship, alongside her sisters. However, her true passion lay in Egyptology. She spent hours in the museum her father had built in one wing of their house, immersing herself in the collections on Egypt. In 1871, at the age of 14, May embarked on her first trip to Egypt with her parents. They traveled in the private car of Ottoman Khedive Isma’il Pasha and stayed at Shepheard’s Hotel. During the trip, May sketched birds, rode on donkeys and ponies, and explored the pyramids and other historical sites.
May’s interest in archaeology grew over the years, and in 1891, she hosted Howard Carter and his father Samuel at Didlington Hall. The Carters were known for their illustrations and drawings and had a mutual acquaintance with the family. This meeting laid the foundation for a fruitful collaboration between Mary and the Carters in the field of archaeology.
Mary Cecil’s most significant contribution to archaeology was her excavations in Aswan, Egypt. In collaboration with Howard Carter and other archaeologists, she uncovered thirty-two tombs known as the Cecil Tombs in the Tombs of the Nobles. These findings provided valuable insights into ancient Egyptian funerary practices and social structures. Her work in Aswan earned her international recognition as an amateur archaeologist.
In addition to her work in archaeology, Mary Cecil was also an avid ornithologist. She had a deep love for birds and spent considerable time studying and cataloging them. Her dedication to ornithology led to the naming of the black-crowned crane subspecies, Balearica pavonia ceciliae, in her honor.
Beyond her scholarly pursuits, Mary Cecil was actively involved in charitable work. She dedicated her time and resources to various social causes, particularly those related to children’s education and welfare. Her commitment to philanthropy and social betterment marked her as a prominent figure in late 19th and early 20th-century Britain.
Mary Cecil, 2nd Baroness Amherst of Hackney, passed away on 21 December 1919, leaving behind a remarkable legacy in the fields of archaeology, ornithology, and social activism. Her contributions to the understanding of ancient Egypt and her dedication to the improvement of society continue to inspire and influence future generations.
Awards:
– Order of the British Empire (OBE)