PETRIE, SIR WILLIAM MATTHEW FLINDERS (1853– ), English Egyptologist, was born at Charlton on June 3, 1853, the son of William Petrie, C.E., and Anne, daughter of Captain Matthew Flinders (q.v.). He took an early interest in archaeological research, and between 1875 and 188o studied an cient British remains at Stonehenge and elsewhere; in 188o he published his book on Stonehenge. He was much interested in ancient weights and measures, and in 1875 published a work on Inductive Metrology. In 188i he began a long series of impor tant surveys and excavations in Egypt, beginning with the pyra mids at Giza, and following up his work there by excavations at the great temple at Tanis (1884), and discovering and exploring the long-lost Greek city of Naucratis in the Delta (1885), and the towns of Am and Daphnae (1886), where he found important remains of the time when they were inhabited by the Pharaohs. Between 1888 and 1890 he was at work in the Fayum, opening up Hawara, Kahun and Lachish; and in 1891 he discovered the ancient temple at Medum. Much of this work was done in connec tion with the Palestine Exploration Fund. By this time his repu tation was established. He published in 1893 his Ten Years' Dig gings in Egypt, and was appointed Edwards Professor of Egyptol ogy at University College, London. In 1894 he founded the
Egyptian Research Account, which in 1905 was reconstituted as the British School of Archaeology in Egypt (not to be confused with the Egypt Exploration Fund, founded 1892). Perhaps the most important work which the School has accomplished has been the investigation of the site of Memphis (q.v.). Flinders Petrie was knighted in 1923. He resigned his professorship in 1933.
The extent as well as the chronological order of Professor Petrie's excavations may best be shown by a list of his works.
chief general works on Egyptian subjects are, Ten Years' Diggings in Egypt (1893) ; History of Egypt (1894-1905) ; Re ligion and Conscience in Ancient Egypt (1898) ; Syria and Egypt' (1898) ; Hyksos and Israelite Cities (1906) ; Religion of Ancient Egypt (5906) ; Arts and Crafts in Egypt (1909) ; Historical Studies (1910); Revolution of Civilisation (19"); Eastern Exploration (1919) ; Prehis toric Egypt (1920) ; Social Life in Ancient Egypt (1923) ; Religious Life in Ancient Egypt (1924) ; Descriptive Sociology of Ancient Egypt (1926). He has also written a long series of monographs on special subjects.