Reginal Stuart Poole (1832 - 1895)

RA Collection: People and Organisations

English archaeologist, numismatist and orientalist. In 1852 he became an assistant in the department of coins and medals at the British Museum, eventually becoming Keeper of the department in 1870. In 1882 he was largely responsible for founding the Egypt Exploration Fund, and in 1884 for starting the Society of English Medallists. He was for some time professor of archaeology at University College, London; and also lecturer at the Royal Academy.

Some of Poole’s best work was done in his articles for the 9th edition of the Encyclopædia Britannica, on Egypt, Hieroglyphics and Numismatics; he also wrote for Smith’s Dictionary of the Bible, and published volumes dealing with his special subjects.

Nephew of Edward William Lane (1801-1876) and brother of Edward Stanley Poole (1830-1867), both of whom were orientalist and archaelogists.