Émile Prisse d'Avennes

Émile Prisse d'Avennes studied at Arts et Métiers ParisTech. The recorded working language is French. The field of work recorded is archaeology, Egyptology and journalism. Places of work recorded in the authority are Egypt. Work by Émile Prisse d'Avennes is recorded in the collections of Victoria and Albert Museum. Distinctions recorded are Knight of the Legion of Honour and Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre.

Prisse d'Avennes was born in Avesnes-sur-Helpe, France, on 27 January 1807, to a noble family of French origin. After the early death of his father in 1814, on the guidance of his grandfather he enrolled at college a year later to train for a career within the legal profession. Prisse d'Avennes decided to become an archaeologist in 1836 after a period teaching at the infantry school in Damietta.

In 1827 when he reached Egypt, he was hired by the viceroy of Egypt, Muhammad Ali Pasha, as a civil engineer. He spent many years living as an Egyptian, adopting the name Idriss-effendi, learning to speak Arabic and practicing Islam. He stated that adopting Egyptian culture resulted in a greater understanding of Egyptian society and people.

• Illustration — Image of a reclining Muslim woman from the Oriental Album. In 1848, he contributed 30 lithograph images depicting the people living on the Nile Valley to a costume book titled Oriental Album written by James Augustus St. John who was a British author and traveler.