Hero(in)nes for my Daughters: twin lady linguists and the dad who gave them their start

The twins Agnes and Margaret Smith, the 'Sisters of Sinai', are best known both for their discovery of the earliest translation of the New Testament gospels into Syriac and for their involvement in the study of Hebrew manuscripts from the Cairo Genizah (see the Lewis-Gibson Collection at the University Library).

One of their lesser known discoveries is the Codex Climaci Rescriptus. Lost texts of Classical Greek literature have (literally) been brought to light through renewed interest in the Biblical manuscripts that were recycled in the production of the Codex and the application of Multispectral Imaging. Some of these Greek texts are now being read for the first time in over twelve hundred years. This talk with Dr Patrick James focusses on how the twins were brought up by their widowed father to be pioneers among female philologists and lady linguists, and how their legacy continues to yield thrilling discoveries as Ancient Greek and Imaging Science collaborate. It also touches briefly on the Greek texts, how they were rediscovered, and the work of Dr James and others in preparing their first editions for publication.

Free. For adults. Pre-book.

Book online here.  

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This event is part of the 2018 Cambridge Festival of Ideas, a season of over 200 events, exhibitions and performances across the City and University of Cambridge.