# Sir Henry Rawlinson, 1st Baronet

> British politician (1810-1895)

**Wikidata**: [Q309602](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q309602)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sir_Henry_Rawlinson,_1st_Baronet)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/sir-henry-rawlinson-1st-baronet

## Summary
Sir Henry Rawlinson, 1st Baronet (1810–1895) was a British politician and diplomat who served as a Member of Parliament and held the rank of Major-General. He was a Fellow of the Royal Society and received the Pour le Mérite for Sciences and Arts. Rawlinson is best known for his contributions to archaeology and the study of ancient Mesopotamian cultures, particularly through his decipherment of cuneiform inscriptions.

## Biography
- Born: April 5, 1810, in London, United Kingdom
- Nationality: British
- Education: Studied at Christ Church, Oxford, and the University of Göttingen
- Known for: Deciphering ancient Mesopotamian cuneiform texts and serving as a politician and diplomat
- Employer(s): Middlesex University, Royal Society, Bavarian Academy of Sciences and Humanities
- Field(s): Archaeology, politics, diplomacy

## Contributions
- **Decipherment of Cuneiform Texts**: Rawlinson played a pivotal role in the decipherment of ancient Mesopotamian cuneiform inscriptions, contributing to the understanding of ancient Mesopotamian cultures.
- **Political Career**: Served as a Member of Parliament and held the rank of Major-General, demonstrating his influence in both political and military spheres.
- **Diplomatic Service**: Engaged in diplomatic activities, reflecting his role in international relations and governance.
- **Academic Recognition**: Elected as a Fellow of the Royal Society and received the Pour le Mérite for Sciences and Arts, highlighting his esteemed status in academic and scientific circles.

## FAQs
### What was Sir Henry Rawlinson, 1st Baronet's primary field of study?
Sir Henry Rawlinson, 1st Baronet was primarily known for his work in archaeology, particularly in the decipherment of ancient Mesopotamian cuneiform texts.

### Where did Sir Henry Rawlinson, 1st Baronet receive his education?
He studied at Christ Church, Oxford, and the University of Göttingen, where he pursued his academic and scholarly pursuits.

### What notable awards did Sir Henry Rawlinson, 1st Baronet receive?
He was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society and received the Pour le Mérite for Sciences and Arts, recognizing his contributions to science and the arts.

### What political roles did Sir Henry Rawlinson, 1st Baronet hold?
He served as a Member of Parliament and held the rank of Major-General, demonstrating his involvement in political and military governance.

### Where was Sir Henry Rawlinson, 1st Baronet affiliated during his academic career?
He was affiliated with Middlesex University, the Royal Society, and the Bavarian Academy of Sciences and Humanities, contributing to various academic and scholarly institutions.

## Why They Matter
Sir Henry Rawlinson, 1st Baronet's contributions to archaeology and the decipherment of ancient Mesopotamian cuneiform texts have had a lasting impact on the field of ancient history. His work has enriched our understanding of ancient Mesopotamian cultures and has influenced subsequent scholars and researchers. His political and diplomatic roles further demonstrate his multifaceted influence in both academic and governance spheres. Rawlinson's achievements have left a significant mark on the study of ancient civilizations and his legacy continues to be recognized and studied today.

## Notable For
- **Decipherment of Cuneiform Texts**: Played a crucial role in the decipherment of ancient Mesopotamian cuneiform inscriptions.
- **Fellow of the Royal Society**: Elected as a Fellow of the Royal Society, recognizing his esteemed status in academic and scientific circles.
- **Pour le Mérite for Sciences and Arts**: Received the prestigious Pour le Mérite award for his contributions to science and the arts.
- **Political and Military Roles**: Served as a Member of Parliament and held the rank of Major-General, demonstrating his influence in political and military governance.
- **Academic Affiliations**: Affiliated with Middlesex University, the Royal Society, and the Bavarian Academy of Sciences and Humanities, contributing to various academic and scholarly institutions.

## Body
### Early Life and Education
Sir Henry Rawlinson, 1st Baronet was born on April 5, 1810, in London, United Kingdom. He received his education at Christ Church, Oxford, and the University of Göttingen, where he pursued his academic and scholarly pursuits. His early education laid the foundation for his future contributions to archaeology and diplomacy.

### Career in Archaeology
Rawlinson's primary field of study was archaeology, particularly in the decipherment of ancient Mesopotamian cuneiform texts. He played a pivotal role in the decipherment of these inscriptions, which significantly contributed to the understanding of ancient Mesopotamian cultures. His work in this area has had a lasting impact on the field of ancient history.

### Political and Diplomatic Roles
In addition to his scholarly pursuits, Rawlinson held significant political and diplomatic roles. He served as a Member of Parliament and held the rank of Major-General, demonstrating his influence in both political and military governance. His diplomatic service further highlighted his role in international relations and governance.

### Academic Recognition and Awards
Rawlinson's contributions to archaeology and diplomacy were recognized through various awards and affiliations. He was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society and received the Pour le Mérite for Sciences and Arts, recognizing his esteemed status in academic and scientific circles. His affiliations with institutions such as Middlesex University, the Royal Society, and the Bavarian Academy of Sciences and Humanities further underscored his scholarly and academic achievements.

### Legacy and Influence
Sir Henry Rawlinson, 1st Baronet's legacy continues to be recognized and studied today. His decipherment of ancient Mesopotamian cuneiform texts has enriched our understanding of ancient civilizations, and his political and diplomatic roles have demonstrated his multifaceted influence. Rawlinson's achievements have left a significant mark on the study of ancient history and his legacy continues to inspire and guide scholars and researchers in the field.

## References

1. Find a Grave
2. BnF authorities
3. The Peerage
4. Integrated Authority File
5. Hansard 1803–2005
6. The London Gazette 22187
7. British Diplomatic Directory (1820-2005)
8. Library of the World's Best Literature
9. Gold Medal Recipients
10. Journal of the Royal Geographical Society of London
11. International Standard Name Identifier
12. Virtual International Authority File
13. CiNii Research
14. [Source](https://aibl.fr/academiciens-depuis-1663/)
15. Encyclopædia Britannica Online
16. SNAC
17. KNAW Past Members
18. Brockhaus Enzyklopädie
19. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
20. [Source](https://www.bartleby.com/library/bios/index14.html)
21. CONOR.SI
22. Treccani's Enciclopedia on line
23. Enciclopedia Treccani
24. Via P227 lookup with GND value from PM20 folder. 20th Century Press Archives
25. LIBRIS. 2018
26. HMML Authority File