Richard Pankhurst | |
|---|---|
 Richard andRita Pankhurst | |
| Born | Richard Keir Pethick Pankhurst (1927-12-03)3 December 1927 |
| Died | 16 February 2017(2017-02-16) (aged 89) |
| Spouse | |
| Children | Alula (born 1962) Helen (born 1964) |
| Parent(s) | Sylvia Pankhurst (mother) Silvio Corio (father) |
| Academic background | |
| Education | London School of Economics |
Richard Keir Pethick PankhurstOBE (3 December 1927 – 16 February 2017) was a Britishscholar who was a founding member of theInstitute of Ethiopian Studies and professor at theUniversity of Addis Ababa in Ethiopia.[1] His books have been reviewed in scholarly journals, withEdward Ullendorff calling hisThe Ethiopians testimony to his "remarkable diligence and industry in the service of Ethiopian studies". He is known for his research on economic history and socio-cultural studies onEthiopia.[2][3][4][5]
Pankhurst was born in 1927 inWoodford Green toleft communist and formersuffragetteSylvia Pankhurst and Italian anarchistSilvio Corio. His maternal grandparents wereEmmeline andRichard Pankhurst.
Pankhurst studied atChigwell School,[6]Bancroft's School in Woodford, and then at theLondon School of Economics,[7][better source needed] from which he received a doctorate in economic history,[8] on whichHarold Laski acted as an advisor.[9]
His mother, Sylvia Pankhurst, had been an active supporter ofEthiopian culture and independence since theItalian invasion in 1935, and Richard grew up knowing many Ethiopian refugees.[9] Sylvia was a friend ofHaile Selassie and publishedEthiopia, a Cultural History in 1955. In 1956, she and Richard moved to Ethiopia[7] where they were joined byRita Eldon.[10] He began working at theUniversity College of Addis Ababa, and in 1962 was the founding director of theInstitute of Ethiopian Studies.[8] He also edited theJournal of Ethiopian Studies and theEthiopia Observer.[7]
Pankhurst left the Institute and his professorship at what had become the University of Addis Ababa in 1976 after the death of Haile Selassie and the start of theEthiopian Civil War. He returned to England, where he became a research fellow with theSchool of Oriental and African Studies and theLondon School of Economics, before working as librarian at theRoyal Asiatic Society.[9] He returned to Ethiopia in 1986, where he resumed research with the Institute.[8] He published numerous books and articles on a wide variety of topics related toEthiopian history.[11]
Pankhurst led the campaign for the return of theObelisk of Axum to Ethiopia. It was re-erected inAxum in 2008.[7] For his efforts in this, he was given the honorary title "Dejazmach Benkirew" by the Union of Tigraians of North America.[12] He was appointedOfficer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the Diplomatic Service and Overseas section of the 2004Queen's Birthday Honours "for services toEthiopian studies".[13]
In addition to his numerous books on Ethiopia, Pankhurst wrote works on his mother, includingSylvia Pankhurst: Artist and Crusader andSylvia Pankhurst: Counsel for Ethiopia.[7]
Pankhurst marriedRita Eldon in 1957[14] and they had a daughter,Helen Pankhurst, and a son,Alula Pankhurst, with whom he collaborated on at least one book.[15]
Pankhurst died on 16 February 2017 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia at the age of 89.Workneh Gebeyehu, the EthiopianForeign Minister described him as "one of Ethiopia's greatest friends".[16] He was buried on 21 February atHoly Trinity Cathedral in Addis Ababa.[17]
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