Taylor Combe facts for kids
Taylor Combe (born 1774 – died 7 July 1826) was an English expert in coins and an archaeologist. He was also a Fellow of the Royal Society, which is a group for important scientists.
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About Taylor Combe's Life
Taylor Combe was the oldest son of Dr. Charles Combe, who was also a doctor and a coin expert. Taylor went to Harrow School and then to Oriel College, Oxford University. He earned his first degree in 1795 and a master's degree in 1798.
In 1803, Taylor Combe started working at the British Museum. He was in charge of the museum's collection of coins and medals. By 1807, he became the keeper of the museum's ancient objects. The coins were still under his care. In 1814, he traveled to Zante to buy some important ancient Greek sculptures called the Phigaleian marbles for the museum.
His Work with Important Societies
Combe became a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1806. This is a very old and respected group for scientists. He was their secretary from 1812 to 1824. During this time, he helped publish their scientific papers called Philosophical Transactions.
He also joined the Society of Antiquaries of London in 1796. This group studies old things and history. He became their director in 1813. He helped publish parts of their book series called Vetusta Monumenta. He also wrote many articles for another important history magazine called Archæologia.
Taylor Combe worked at the British Museum until he passed away. He had been sick for a long time. He died at the museum on July 7, 1826. He was buried in his family's burial place in Bloomsbury on July 14.
Taylor Combe's Legacy
After Taylor Combe died, his collection of books about ancient history and coins was sold. His prints and some of his handwritten notes were also sold. The auction happened at Sotheby's starting on December 7, 1826. Everything sold for a total of £1,879, 15 shillings, and 6 pence.
A special medal was made to remember Combe after his death. It was designed by Benedetto Pistrucci and W. J. Taylor.
Books and Publications
As an expert in coins and ancient objects, Taylor Combe published several important books. These books were officially released by the British Museum.
- Veterum populorum et regum numi qui in Museo Britannico adservantur, London, 1814. This was a catalog of the Greek coins at the British Museum. A newer, more complete catalog replaced it later.
- Description of the Anglo-Gallic Coins in the British Museum, London. This book included pictures of coins from England and France. It was finished and published after his death by Edward Hawkins.
- A Description of the Collection of Ancient Terracottas in the British Museum, London, 1810. This book described the museum's collection of ancient clay figures. It had forty pictures.
- A Description of the Collection of Ancient Marbles in the British Museum, London. This was a multi-part series describing the museum's ancient marble sculptures. Combe wrote parts one to four (1812–1820) and a large part of part five (1826). Hawkins finished and published the rest of part five after Combe's death. Other experts like Charles Robert Cockerell and Samuel Birch continued the series (parts six to eleven, 1830–1861).
Taylor Combe's Family
In 1808, Taylor Combe married Elizabeth. She was the daughter of Dr. Edward Whitaker Gray.
