Henrietta Lawes

Henrietta 'Hetty' Lawes (October 1861 - March 1947) was a British artist and archaeologist, best known for illustrating Egyptian artefacts and assisting with the excavations at Hu, Egypt, led by Egyptologists Hilda Petrie and Flinders Petrie in 1899.

Lawes later bequeathed numerous Egyptian artefacts and books about Egypt to the Ure Museum of Greek Archaeology at the University of Reading, and Reading Museum.

Her first cousin was the suffragette and women's rights activist, Emmeline Pethick-Lawrence.

Early life Henrietta Lawes was born in October 1861 in Sindlesham, Berkshire. Her father was Joseph Lawes (1829-1902), the owner of Caversham Mill. Lawes' first cousin on her mother's side was Emmeline Pethick-Lawrence. Lawes' sister, Jessie, was a suffragette who was later arrested on a deputation to Parliament in June 1909, along with her cousin Emmeline.

Egypt expedition Between November 1898 - March 1899, Lawes worked on the Hu excavation in Egypt, with Hilda and Flinders Petrie. Along with archaeologist Beatrice Orme, she assisted with excavations and drew pottery. Flinders noted that: Miss Orme & Miss Lawes mark pots & skeletons & look after the things. So our part of seven goes on very smoothly so far. Lawes' catalogued finds were displayed at University College London after the expedition. During the 1920s, she lived in Tilehurst, Berkshire, with her sister Jessie. Lawes was part of the Berkshire Archaeological Society. Lawes died on 11 March 1947, whilst living at The Cedars, Wokingham.