Two SOAS Academics Honoured by American Oriental Society
Professor Andrew George (pictured) and Professor Nicholas Sims-Williams have been elected honorary members of the American Oriental Society.
14 April 2011
Professor Andrew George and Professor Nicholas Sims-Williams have been elected honorary members of the American Oriental Society.
The society was founded in 1842, making it the oldest American learned society devoted to a particular field of scholarship. Its members voted unanimously to elect Professor George and Professor Sims-Williams at their annual general meeting in Chicago on 14 March.
Both are former heads of the Department of the Languages and Cultures of the Near and Middle East, with more than fifty years at SOAS between them. They are both specialists in long-dead languages and cultures: Professor Sims-Williams works in Sogdian and Bactrian especially, and Professor George is an Assyriologist.
According to the American Oriental Society's website:
“Honorary Membership is bestowed by vote of the regular membership upon non-American scholars of outstanding distinction and accomplishment. Over the years, honorary membership in the American Oriental Society has been conferred upon scholars of international repute in recognition of the important scholarly work they have contributed to their fields of research and the extent to which they have made available and promoted the fruits of their inquiry to the benefit of the broadest possible range of colleagues, students and the enlightened public.”
Only 33 scholars (21 still living) have received this honour before. Until now only two have been on the faculties of British universities.
For further information, contact:
William Friar
Communications Officer
Directorate of External Relations & Development
+44 (0)20 7898 4135
w.friar@soas.ac.uk
