Origins & Early Life

Osbert Guy Stanhope Crawford (28 October 1886 – 28 November 1957) was a British archaeologist who specialised in the archaeology of prehistoric Britain and Sudan. A keen proponent of aerial archaeology, he spent most of his career as the archaeological officer of the Ordnance Survey (OS) and also wrote a range of books on archaeological subjects. Born in Bombay, British India, to a wealthy middle-class Scottish family, Crawford moved to England as an infant and was raised by his aunts in London and Hampshire. He read geography at Keble College, Oxford, and worked briefly in that field before devoting himself professionally to archaeology.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

Employed by the philanthropist Henry Wellcome, Crawford oversaw the excavation of Abu Geili in Sudan before returning to England shortly before the First World War. During the conflict he served in both the London Scottish Regiment and the Royal Flying Corps, where he was involved in ground and aerial reconnaissance along the Western Front. After an injury forced a period of convalescence in England, he returned to the Western Front, where he was captured by the German Army in 1918 and held as a prisoner of war until the end of the conflict. In 1920...

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The historical impact and works continue to influence the modern world.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Alfonso XIII — Contemporary (Born in 1886) (1886): King of Spain (1886-1931), whose reign spanned constitutional crises and republican upheaval.
• Clarence Birdseye — Contemporary (Born in 1886) (1886): Founder of the modern frozen food industry through rapid-freezing technology.
• David Ben-Gurion — Contemporary (Born in 1886) (1886): Primary national founder and first Prime Minister of the State of Israel.
• Arturo Toscanini — Contemporary (Died in 1957) (1957): Intense Italian conductor, master of orchestral detail, and pivotal figure in 20th-century music.
• Constantin Brâncuși — Contemporary (Died in 1957) (1957): Pioneer of modern sculpture, Brâncuși emphasized clean lines and elemental forms.
• Diego Rivera — Contemporary (Died in 1957) (1957): Pioneering Mexican muralist whose frescoes defined modern Mexican art.
• Bernadette Lafont — Shared historical date (10-28 · Born) (1938): Iconic French actress, celebrated for her role in the New Wave movement.
• Bill Gates — Shared historical date (10-28 · Born) (1955): Co-founder of Microsoft, pioneer of the microcomputer revolution and global philanthropist.
• Adria Petty — Shared historical date (11-28 · Born) (1974): American director, editor, and artist known for music video work with Beyoncé.
• Alan Lightman — Shared historical date (11-28 · Born) (1948): Physicist, writer, and social entrepreneur exploring science's intersection with humanities.
• 1886 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1886
• October 28 (10-28) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on October 28
• 1957 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1957
• November 28 (11-28) On This Day — Historical events and memorials on November 28