A PASSION FOR EGYPT: Arthur Weigall, Tutankhamun and the "Curse of the Pharaohs"

Arthur Weigall (1880–1934), the British Egyptologist and author, had a multifaceted career: accountant, archeologist, government administrator, set designer and author of over two dozen books. Undoubtedly, his most important role was in Egypt—as chief inspector of antiquities (1904–1914). As his granddaughter shows in this (perhaps overly defensive) biography, he labored tirelessly to save Egypt's archeological treasures from thieves, antiques dealers, public work projects (such as the Aswan Dam) and amateur excavators. Weigall had a profound understanding of the economic and cultural forces that led to the plundering of Egypt's riches: he especially blamed Western museums for "creat[ing] a market in stolen antiquities." Hankey is most effective when she's describing the intricate, often exasperating political infighting Weigall engaged in with his boss Gaston Maspero, director of the department of antiquities for Egypt, as well as with Howard Carter and Lord Carnarvon (the two men who discovered King Tut's tomb). But at times, the book reads more like an apologia than a biography. For example, she cites Carter's biographer regarding the Carter-Weigall conflict and then analyzes it for anti-Weigall bias. Hankey also contends that Weigall deserves to be taken more seriously as an author of novels and histories. She cites numerous glowing book reviews and quotes from his admiring fan mail. But even Hankey is compelled to admit that Weigall's prose tended toward the purple and that his conception of history was tinged with romantic idealism. In the end, it's hard to know just what legacy Arthur Weigall left behind—he played too many roles, and this biography reflects that lack of focus. 16 b&w photos. (Sept.)