Christopher Johnston (Assyriologist)

Christopher Johnston (1868-1942) was an American Assyriologist and professor of Oriental History and Archaeology at Johns Hopkins University. He was a prominent figure in the field of Assyriology in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, contributing significantly to the understanding of ancient Mesopotamian languages, cultures, and history.

Johnston received his PhD from Johns Hopkins University in 1894. His research focused primarily on cuneiform texts and the study of ancient Assyrian and Babylonian civilizations. He published extensively on various aspects of Mesopotamian history, religion, and literature, translating and interpreting numerous cuneiform inscriptions.

His notable works include:

• Epistolary Literature of the Assyrians and Babylonians (1898): A collection and analysis of letters from the ancient Near East.
• Contributions to the American Journal of Semitic Languages and Literatures.

Johnston's work helped to advance the understanding of the ancient Near East and played a crucial role in establishing Assyriology as a significant academic discipline in the United States. He trained a generation of scholars who continued his work in the field. He was also involved in the acquisition of cuneiform tablets for the Johns Hopkins University archaeological collection.