Dr. Leonard Lesko

Biography

Professor Leonard Lesko is the Charles Edwin Wilbour Professor Emeritus of Egyptology at Brown University. He obtained his Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts degrees in Classics from Loyola University, Chicago, in 1961 and 1964, respectively. In 1969, he earned his Doctor of Philosophy in Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations with a specialization in Egyptology from the University of Chicago. His academic career includes roles as a Research Assistant and Egyptologist at the Epigraphic Survey of the Oriental Institute, University of Chicago, in Luxor, Egypt, from 1964 to 1965. He then served at the University of California, Berkeley, from 1966 to 1982, where he progressed through various teaching ranks up to Professor in the Department of Near Eastern Studies. Professor Lesko joined Brown University in 1982 as the Wilbour Professor of Egyptology. He teaches primarily on the stages of the Egyptian language, including Old, Middle, Late Egyptian, Demotic, and Coptic, along with courses on Egyptian literature, religion, and history. His research interests focus on various aspects of Egyptology, including Coffin Texts, Book of the Dead, literature, lexicography, and ancient Egyptian society.

Research Interests