Toby Wilkinson | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | 1969 (age 55–56) |
| Awards | Hessell-Tiltman Prize (2011) |
| Academic background | |
| Alma mater | Downing College, Cambridge Christ's College, Cambridge |
| Academic work | |
| Discipline | Egyptology |
| Institutions | |
| Website | www |
Toby Alexander Howard Wilkinson,FSA, FRHistS (born 1969) is an EnglishEgyptologist and academic. After studying Egyptology at theUniversity of Cambridge, he wasLady Wallis Budge Research Fellow in Egyptology atChrist's College, Cambridge (1993 to 1997) and then a research fellow at theUniversity of Durham (1997 to 1999). He became a Fellow ofClare College, Cambridge in 2003. He was Deputy Vice Chancellor (External Relations) at theUniversity of Lincoln from 2017 to 2021, and then Vice Chancellor ofFiji National University from January 2021 to December 2021. Since 2022, he has been Fellow for Development at Clare College, Cambridge.
Wilkinson was awarded the 2011Hessell-Tiltman Prize for his bookThe Rise and Fall of Ancient Egypt: the History of a Civilisation from 3000 BC to Cleopatra.
Wilkinson was born in 1969. He readEgyptology atDowning College, Cambridge.[1] He graduated with afirst classBachelor of Arts (BA) degree,[2] and was awarded the Thomas Mulvey Egyptology Prize.[1] He completed hisDoctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree atChrist's College, Cambridge in 1993,[3] with adoctoral thesis titled "Egypt in transition: predynastic-early dynastic chronology and the effects of state formation".[4]
Wilkinson's first academic position, from 1993 to 1997, was asLady Wallis Budge Research Fellow in Egyptology atChrist's College, Cambridge. From 1997 to 1999, he wasLeverhulme Special Research Fellow at theUniversity of Durham.[3] After this he decided to change direction from academia.[5]
Wilkinson returned to Cambridge and became aFellow ofClare College, Cambridge in 2003.[6] He set up the college's development office, focusing on communications, fundraising and external relations, and served as director of development from 2003 to 2010.[5] He is a member of the editorial board of theJournal of Egyptian History.[7] He is an honorary research fellow in the Department of Archaeology, University of Durham.[8] In July 2011, he became head of the International Strategy Office at the University of Cambridge. In this position, he developed the university's international strategy and helped facilitate international collaborations.[9]
In 2017, he becameDeputy Vice Chancellor (External Relations) at theUniversity of Lincoln.[10] In January 2021, he moved to the South Pacific to becomeVice Chancellor ofFiji National University. However, in August 2021, it was announced that he was to step down in December 2021 due to "personal family reasons", and he subsequently returned to the United Kingdom.[11] In March 2022, it was announced that he would return to Clare College, Cambridge as Fellow for Development: he took up the appointment on 3 May 2022.[12] He was appointed as thebursar of Clare college in February 2025.[13]
In 2011, Wilkinson won theHessell-Tiltman Prize, awarded to the best work of non-fiction of historical content, for his bookThe Rise and Fall of Ancient Egypt: the History of a Civilisation from 3000 BC to Cleopatra.[14]
On 3 March 2017, Wilkinson was elected aFellow of the Society of Antiquaries of London (FSA).[15] He is also a Fellow of theRoyal Historical Society.[16]
