Austen Henry Layard

Quick Facts: Who was Austen Henry Layard?

Subject:

Austen Henry Layard

Known for:

British Assyriologist, excavator of Nimrud and Nineveh, and art historian.

Born:

1817-03-05

Died:

1894-07-05

Century / Era:

1817s Historical Era Archive

Verified Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

Sir Austen Henry Layard (; 5 March 1817 – 5 July 1894) was a British Assyriologist, traveller, cuneiformist, art historian, draughtsman, collector, politician and diplomat. He was born to a mostly English family in Paris and largely raised in Italy. He is best known as the excavator of Nimrud and of Nineveh, where he uncovered a large proportion of the Assyrian palace reliefs known, and in 1851 the library of Ashurbanipal.

Career & Major Achievements

Most of his discoveries are now in the British Museum. He made a large amount of money from his best-selling accounts of his excavations. He had a political career between 1852, when he was elected as a Member of Parliament, and 1869, holding various junior ministerial positions.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

He was then made ambassador to Madrid, then Constantinople, living much of the time in a palazzo he bought in Venice. During this period he built up a significant collection of paintings, which due to a legal loophole he had as a diplomat, he was able to extricate from Venice and bequeath to the National Gallery (as the Layard Bequest) and other British museums. Layard was born in Paris, France, to a family of Huguenot descent.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1817 (1817-03-05): Birth of Austen Henry Layard — British Assyriologist, excavator of Nimrud and Nineveh, and art historian.
2. 1851: 1851 Milestone — He is best known as the excavator of Nimrud and of Nineveh, where he uncovered a large proportion of the Assyrian palace reliefs known, and in 1851 the library of Ashurbanipal.
3. 1852: 1852 Milestone — He had a political career between 1852, when he was elected as a Member of Parliament, and 1869, holding various junior ministerial positions.
4. 1894 (1894-07-05): Passing & Historical Legacy — Austen Henry Layard passed away on 1894-07-05, leaving an enduring historical legacy.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Austen Henry Layard

True or False: “It is a common misconception that Layard's primary focus throughout his life was solely on the political machinations of the British Empire.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): While Layard had a significant political career, his life was equally defined by his profound passion for Assyriology, art history, and the excavation of ancient Near Eastern civilizations.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

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Frequently Asked Questions about Austen Henry Layard