George Smith – birth, Mar. 26, 1840

George Smith was born this date 3/26/1840, at London. After spending part of his life as a banknote engraver he became increasingly interested in Oriental languages.  His several expeditions to the site of ancient Ninevah and his studies qualify him to be called an Assyriologist.  During his first two trips (1873, 1874) he unearthed over 3,000 cuneiform tablets.  The most interesting of which included portions of the ancient Deluge – what Bible readers know as Noah’s Flood.  His skill at deciphering writings led to his co-authoring with Sir Henry Rawlinson’s the third volume of Cuneiform Inscriptions.

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