E. S. Drower facts for kids

Ethel Stefana Drower (born Ethel Stevens; December 1, 1879 – January 27, 1972) was a British expert who studied different cultures and ancient texts, especially from the Middle East. She was also a writer of novels. She is known as one of the most important experts on the Mandaeans, a special religious group. She also collected many of their old writings.

About Her Life

Ethel Stefana Drower was born in 1879. Her father was a clergyman, which is a religious leader. In 1911, she married Edwin Drower. After her husband was knighted, she became known as Lady Drower.

As a young writer, Ethel wrote many romantic novels. She published 13 novels between 1909 and 1927. She also wrote two interesting travel books about her adventures.

In 1921, she moved to Iraq with her husband. Sir Edwin Drower worked there as an adviser to the Justice Minister until 1947. Living in Iraq allowed Ethel to learn a lot about the cultures of the Middle East.

Her Studies and Books

Ethel Stefana Drower became a well-known cultural anthropologist. This means she studied human societies and cultures. She focused on the Mandaeans, a unique religious group with ancient traditions.

She wrote several important books about the Mandaeans, describing their rituals, customs, and stories. Some of her famous works include:

• The Mandaeans of Iraq and Iran: This book describes their religious practices, traditions, magic, and folklore.
• The Canonical Prayerbook of the Mandaeans: This is a translation of one of their holy books, called the Qolasta.
• The Secret Adam: A Study of Nasoraean Gnosis: This book explores the Mandaean belief system.
• The Peacock Angel: This was a novel she wrote about another religious group called the Yezidis.

She also worked on old manuscripts. She edited and translated unique texts, such as:

• The Book of the Zodiac: This book contained astronomical divinations, which are like predictions based on stars.
• A Book of Black Magic: This was a collection of magical texts.
• The Haran Gawaita and the Baptism of Hibil-Ziwa and The Coronation of the Great Šišlam: These are translations of important Mandaean religious works.

Ethel Stefana Drower passed away on January 27, 1972. She left behind her daughter, Margaret, and other family members.

Awards and Honors

Ethel Stefana Drower received several special awards for her important studies:

• She was given an honorary DLitt degree from Oxford University. This is a high academic honor.
• She also received an honorary DD degree from Uppsala University in Sweden.
• She became an honorary fellow of the School of Oriental and African Studies at London University.
• On October 1, 1964, she was awarded the Lidzbarski gold medal for her amazing work on the Mandaeans and their ancient writings.

Drower Collection

The Drower Collection (DC) is a very important group of Mandaean manuscripts. It is kept at the Bodleian Library at Oxford University. This collection has 55 unique manuscripts, making it the largest collection of Mandaean writings in the world.

Ethel Drower gave most of these manuscripts (MSS. Drower 1-53) to the Bodleian Library in 1958. She gave another important manuscript, MS. Drower 54, in 1961. This one is called The Coronation of the Great Šišlam. Her personal notebook, MS. Drower 55, was added to the collection in 1986 after her death.

Interestingly, some of Ethel Drower's private notebooks were found by another scholar, Rudolf Macúch, after she passed away. These notebooks are not part of the main Drower Collection at the Bodleian Library.

In one of the manuscripts, MS. DC 2, it mentions Ethel Drower's Mandaean baptismal name. This is a special spiritual name given by a Mandaean priest. Her name was Klila pt Šušian, which means "Wreath, daughter of Susan." Her middle name, Stefana, means 'wreath' in Greek. Another manuscript, MS. DC 26, was dedicated to her daughter, Margaret. In this text, Margaret is given the Mandaean name Marganita pt Klila, meaning "Pearl, daughter of Wreath."