Radcliffe Emerson
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Professor Radcliffe Archibald Emerson, M.A. Ox., Fellow of the Royal Society, Fellow of the Royal Geographic Society, Member of the American Philosophical Society, is one of the main characters in the Amelia Peabody series by mystery author Elizabeth Peters. He is an Egyptologist who is typically addressed as Professor, although he prefers to be known by his surname. For his dynamic use of language, Emerson is called the "Father of Curses" by Egyptians and the English characters alike. Emerson is the husband of Amelia Peabody, who is also an Egyptologist and self-proclaimed detective. They are the parents of Walter (Ramses) Peabody Emerson.
Emerson is described (by Amelia, thus romantically) as tall, well-built, with "sapphirine" eyes and dark wavy locks. In the later books Amelia refers to Emerson as "the greatest Egyptologist of this or any other age".
Emerson is presented as a dynamic man of action, but one with great tenderness toward his family and friends. He is intolerant of bureaucracy and an advocate of careful methods of excavation and research. His methods are presented as a great contrast to those of well-known non-fictional archaeological adventurers, who can sometimes be found as minor characters in the books. More established and careful archaeologists, including Howard Carter, the discoverer and primary excavator of the tomb of Tutankhamun, are presented more positively. The Emerson family adventures, to date, are set in both Great Britain and Egypt during the British Imperial period, beginning in approximately 1890 and extending through the 1920s.
Emerson has a brother, Walter, who is very different in personality, but equally learned. Walter is married to Evelyn, Amelia's close friend and confidante.
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↑ These were rattled off by Emerson to an admiring group of dignitaries in The Last Camel Died at Noon, chapter 8.
