Collections Online | British Museum

Please enable JavaScript in your web browser to get the best experience.

Capt Tristram C S Speedy

Also known as: Capt Tristram C S Speedy; primary name: Speedy, Tristram Charles Sawyer; other name: (Capt) Speedy, T C
Details: individual; military/naval; collector; British; Male
Life dates: 1836-1910
Biography: Captain, on the staff of Lord Napier of Magdala (Intelligence Department) as interpreter, chiefly during the Abyssinian Expedition of 1867 and 1868 and subsequently guardian to the late Prince Alamayu, son of the Emperor Theodore. Accompanied the "Missions" to Abyssinia, as interpreter; with Admiral, Sir William Hewitt, and Sir Rennell Rodd; brought to England many Abyssinian objects. A collection of African items that he had formed was given to the BM in 1939 by his god-daughter Mrs Henry Perrin (qv - see Af1939,09.1 to 34). Many of these were from Ethiopia, but some were not, and it is clear that since he was interpreter to the 1867-8 expedition and later served as tutor to Prince Alamayu he must have known the language already and had an interest in its material culture. 'My late husband, Captain Speedy, who was on the staff of Lord Napier of Magdala (Intelligence Dept) as Interpreter, chiefly during the Abyssinian Expedition of 1867 & /68 & subsequently guardian to the late Prince Alamayu, son of the Emperor Theodore - afterwards Captain Speedy accompanied the "Missions" to Abyssinia, as Interpreter, - with Admiral Sir Wm. Hewitt, & Sir Rennell Rodd; brought home to England many Abyssinian Curios ...' (from Ethdoc 297 - Letter Mrs Speedy/BM 27 Feb. 1912. The Ethdoc includes a photograph of 'Captain Speedy in the Costume of an Abyssinian Chief'.)
Bibliography: Department of Africa, Oceania and Americas, Ethdoc 297 Oxford Dictionary of National Biography.

169 related objects

alam

Museum number: Af1939,09.8 |
Ethnic group: x83728 Made by:Harari |
Production date: 19thC |
Findspot: Found/Acquired:Ethiopia

ammunition-belt

Museum number: Af1939,09.17 |
Findspot: Found/Acquired:Ethiopia

ammunition-belt

Museum number: Af1939,09.18 |
Findspot: Found/Acquired:Ethiopia

anklet

Museum number: Af1912,0410.11 |
Production date: 19thC |
Findspot: Found/Acquired:Ethiopia

apron

Museum number: Af1939,09.34 |
Ethnic group: x84517 Made by:Nubian |
Production place: Factory in:Sudan

armlet

Museum number: Af1912,0410.6 |
Findspot: Found/Acquired:Ethiopia

armlet

Museum number: Af1912,0410.5 |
Findspot: Found/Acquired:Ethiopia

artefact; belt

Museum number: Af1939,09.19 |
Findspot: Found/Acquired:Ethiopia

bag

Museum number: Af1939,09.20 |
Findspot: Found/Acquired:Ethiopia

bandolier

Museum number: Af1912,0410.66 |
Findspot: Found/Acquired:Ethiopia

bandolier

Museum number: Af1939,09.23 |
Findspot: Found/Acquired:Ethiopia

basket

Museum number: Af1912,0410.36.a |
Findspot: Found/Acquired:Ethiopia

beaker

Museum number: Af1939,09.13.a |
Production date: 19thC(mid) |
Production place: Made in:Ethiopia |
Findspot: Found/Acquired:Ethiopia

belt; girdle

Museum number: Af1912,0410.19 |
Production date: mid 19thC |
Findspot: Found/Acquired:Ethiopia

belt; girdle

Museum number: Af1912,0410.20 |
Production date: 19thC |
Findspot: Found/Acquired:Ethiopia

belt; waist-cloth

Museum number: Af1912,0410.22 |
Production date: 19thC |
Findspot: Found/Acquired:Ethiopia

book

Title: Book of Psalms |
Museum number: Af1912,0410.37.b |
Cultures/periods: x13762 Christian |
Production date: 19thC |
Production place: Made in:Ethiopia |
Findspot: Found/Acquired:Ethiopia

bridle

Museum number: Af1912,0410.38 |
Findspot: Found/Acquired:Ethiopia

bridle

Museum number: Af1912,0410.39 |
Findspot: Found/Acquired:Ethiopia

cap

Museum number: Af1912,0410.18 |
Production date: 19thC |
Findspot: Found/Acquired:Ethiopia

cap

Museum number: Af1912,0410.13 |
Production date: 19thC |
Production place: Made in:Ethiopia |
Findspot: Found/Acquired:Ethiopia

carte-de-visite

Museum number: Af,B7.24 |
Producer name: Office/studio of:The London Stereoscopic & Photographic CompanyPhotographed by:Capt Tristram C S Speedy |
Production date: 1868

carte-de-visite

Museum number: Af,B7.20 |
Producer name: Office/studio of:Jabez HughesOffice/studio of:Royal Photographic Studio |
Production date: 1868

carte-de-visite

Museum number: Af,B7.19 |
Producer name: Photographed by:Capt Tristram C S SpeedyOffice/studio of:Jabez Hughes |
Production date: 1868

carte-de-visite

Museum number: Af,B7.26 |
Producer name: Office/studio of:A G TodPhotographed by:Capt Tristram C S Speedy |
Production date: 1868

carte-de-visite

Museum number: Af,B7.21 |
Producer name: Office/studio of:Jabez HughesOffice/studio of:Royal Photographic Studio |
Production date: 1868

carte-de-visite

Museum number: Af,B7.23 |
Producer name: Office/studio of:Southwell BrothersPhotographed by:Capt Tristram C S Speedy |
Production date: 1868

carte-de-visite

Museum number: Af,B7.25 |
Producer name: Office/studio of:Jabez HughesPhotographed by:Capt Tristram C S Speedy |
Production date: 1868

carte-de-visite

Museum number: Af,B7.22 |
Producer name: Office/studio of:Jabez HughesOffice/studio of:Royal Photographic Studio |
Production date: 1868

case

Museum number: Af1912,0410.37.a |
Cultures/periods: x13762 Christian |
Production date: 19thC |
Production place: Lustred in:Ethiopia |
Findspot: Found/Acquired:Ethiopia

circlet; bracelet

Museum number: Af1912,0410.62 |
Findspot: Found/Acquired:EthiopiaFound/Acquired:Sudan

circlet; bracelet

Museum number: Af1912,0410.63 |
Findspot: Found/Acquired:EthiopiaFound/Acquired:Sudan

circlet; bracelet

Museum number: Af1912,0410.64 |
Findspot: Found/Acquired:EthiopiaFound/Acquired:Sudan

cloak

Museum number: Af1912,0410.54 |
Production date: 19thC |
Findspot: Found/Acquired:Ethiopia

cloth; shamma

Museum number: Af1939,09.29 |
Production date: 1867 |
Production place: Made in:Ethiopia |
Findspot: Found/Acquired:Ethiopia

cloth

Museum number: Af1939,09.31 |
Production date: 1867 |
Production place: Made in:Ethiopia |
Findspot: Found/Acquired:Ethiopia

club; staff

Museum number: Af1939,09.7 |
Findspot: Found/Acquired:Ethiopia

container

Museum number: Af1939,09.16.a-b |
Production date: 19thC(mid) |
Production place: Made in:Ethiopia |
Findspot: Found/Acquired:Ethiopia

cover; saddle-cloth

Museum number: Af1939,09.25 |
Findspot: Found/Acquired:Ethiopia

cover; lid

Museum number: Af1912,0410.36.b |
Findspot: Found/Acquired:Ethiopia

cup

Museum number: Af1912,0410.3 |
Production date: 19thC |
Findspot: Found/Acquired:Ethiopia

cup

Museum number: Af1912,0410.4 |
Findspot: Found/Acquired:Ethiopia

cup; case

Museum number: Af1912,0410.2.a-b |
Production date: 19thC(late)-20thC(early) |
Production place: Made in:Ethiopia |
Findspot: Found/Acquired:Ethiopia

cup; cup-case

Museum number: Af1912,0410.1.a-b |
Production date: 1800 to 1868 |
Production place: Made in:Ethiopia |
Findspot: Found/Acquired:Ethiopia

cushion-cover

Museum number: Af1939,09.22 |
Findspot: Found/Acquired:Ethiopia

cushion-cover

Museum number: Af1939,09.21 |
Findspot: Found/Acquired:Ethiopia

dagger

Museum number: Af1939,09.6.a |
Production place: Made in:Sahara |
Findspot: Found/Acquired:EthiopiaFound/Acquired:Sahara

dagger

Museum number: Af1939,09.5.a |
Findspot: Found/Acquired:Ethiopia

dagger-sheath

Museum number: Af1939,09.5.b |
Findspot: Found/Acquired:Ethiopia

dagger-sheath

Museum number: Af1939,09.6.b |
Production place: Made in:Sahara |
Findspot: Found/Acquired:EthiopiaFound/Acquired:Sahara

finger-ring

Museum number: Af1912,0713.1 |
Production date: 1800 to 1868 |
Production place: Made in:Ethiopia |
Findspot: Found/Acquired:Ethiopia

flask

Museum number: Af1939,09.15.a |
Production date: 19thC(mid) |
Findspot: Found/Acquired:Ethiopia

flask

Museum number: Af1939,09.14.a |
Production date: 19thC(mid) |
Findspot: Found/Acquired:Ethiopia

fly-whisk

Museum number: Af1939,09.11 |
Findspot: Found/Acquired:Ethiopia

fly-whisk

Museum number: Af1939,09.12 |
Findspot: Found/Acquired:Ethiopia

girdle

Museum number: Af1912,0410.81 |
Findspot: Found/Acquired:Sudan

girth; horse-harness

Museum number: Af1912,0410.50 |
Findspot: Found/Acquired:Ethiopia

hair-pin

Museum number: Af1912,0410.12 |
Findspot: Found/Acquired:Ethiopia

harp

Museum number: Af1939,09.9 |
Production date: 19thC |
Findspot: Found/Acquired:Ethiopia

hat

Museum number: Af1939,09.26 |
Production date: 1867 |
Production place: Made in:Ethiopia |
Findspot: Found/Acquired:Ethiopia

holder

Museum number: Af1939,09.13.b |
Production date: 19thC |
Findspot: Found/Acquired:Ethiopia

holder; bag

Museum number: Af1939,09.24 |
Findspot: Found/Acquired:Ethiopia

horse-collar

Museum number: Af1912,0410.41 |
Findspot: Found/Acquired:Ethiopia

horse-trappings

Museum number: Af1912,0410.46 |
Findspot: Found/Acquired:Ethiopia

horse-trappings

Museum number: Af1912,0410.40 |
Findspot: Found/Acquired:Ethiopia

horse-trappings

Museum number: Af1912,0410.49 |
Findspot: Found/Acquired:Ethiopia

horse-trappings

Museum number: Af1912,0410.45 |
Findspot: Found/Acquired:Ethiopia

horse-trappings

Museum number: Af1912,0410.47 |
Findspot: Found/Acquired:Ethiopia

knife

Museum number: As1912,0410.78.a |
Production date: 19thC |
Findspot: Found/Acquired:Malaysia

knife

Museum number: As1912,0410.77.a |
Production date: 19thC |
Findspot: Found/Acquired:Malaysia

knife

Museum number: Af1912,0410.71 |
Ethnic group: x83719 Made by:Hadendowa |
Findspot: Found/Acquired:Suakin

knife-sheath

Museum number: As1912,0410.78.b |
Production date: 19thC |
Findspot: Found/Acquired:Malaysia

kris

Museum number: As1912,0410.79.a |
Production date: 19thC |
Findspot: Found/Acquired:Malaysia

lyre

Museum number: Af1939,09.10 |
Findspot: Found/Acquired:Ethiopia

mat

Museum number: Af1939,09.32 |
Production date: 1867 |
Production place: Made in:Ethiopia |
Findspot: Found/Acquired:Ethiopia

neck-ornament

Museum number: Af1912,0410.17 |
Findspot: Found/Acquired:Ethiopia

necklace

Museum number: Af1912,0410.7 |
Production date: 19thC |
Findspot: Found/Acquired:Ethiopia

necklace

Museum number: Af1912,0410.8 |
Findspot: Found/Acquired:Ethiopia

necklace

Museum number: Af1912,0410.10 |
Findspot: Found/Acquired:Ethiopia

necklace

Museum number: Af1912,0410.9 |
Findspot: Found/Acquired:Ethiopia

ornament

Museum number: Af1912,0410.16 |
Findspot: Found/Acquired:Ethiopia

photographic print

Museum number: Af,B7.18 |
Producer name: BIOG128402 Photographed by:Capt Tristram C S Speedy |
Production date: 1923 |
Production place: Made in:Somalia

photographic print

Museum number: Af,B7.16 |
Producer name: BIOG128402 Photographed by:Capt Tristram C S Speedy |
Production date: 1923 |
Production place: Made in:Berbera

photographic print

Museum number: Af,B9.14 |
Producer name: BIOG128402 Photographed by:Capt Tristram C S Speedy |
Production date: 19thC(late)-20thC(early) |
Production place: Made in:AswanMade in:Asia

photographic print

Museum number: Af,B7.9 |
Producer name: BIOG128402 Photographed by:Capt Tristram C S Speedy |
Production date: 1868 |
Production place: Made in:Sudan

photographic print

Museum number: Af,B7.6 |
Producer name: BIOG128402 Photographed by:Capt Tristram C S Speedy |
Production date: 1868 |
Production place: Made in:Sudan

photographic print

Museum number: Af,B7.2 |
Producer name: BIOG128402 Photographed by:Capt Tristram C S Speedy |
Production date: 1868 |
Production place: Made in:Sudan

photographic print

Museum number: Af,B9.15 |
Producer name: BIOG128402 Photographed by:Capt Tristram C S Speedy |
Production date: 19thC(late)-20thC(early) |
Production place: Made in:AswanMade in:Asia

photographic print

Museum number: Af,B7.15 |
Producer name: BIOG128402 Photographed by:Capt Tristram C S Speedy |
Production date: 1923 |
Production place: Made in:Somalia

photographic print

Museum number: Af,B7.11 |
Producer name: BIOG128402 Photographed by:Capt Tristram C S Speedy |
Production date: 1923 |
Production place: Made in:Somalia

photographic print

Museum number: Af,B7.13 |
Producer name: BIOG128402 Photographed by:Capt Tristram C S Speedy |
Production date: 1923 |
Production place: Made in:Upper Sheikh

photographic print

Museum number: Af,B7.1 |
Producer name: BIOG128402 Photographed by:Capt Tristram C S Speedy |
Production date: 1868 |
Production place: Made in:Sudan

photographic print

Museum number: Af,B7.27 |
Producer name: Office/studio of:Jabez HughesPhotographed by:Capt Tristram C S Speedy |
Production date: 1868

photographic print

Museum number: Af,B2.23 |
Production date: 19thC(late)

photographic print

Museum number: Af,B7.28 |
Producer name: BIOG134028 Office/studio of:Lawrence Lowe |
Production date: 1868

photographic print

Museum number: Af,B9.13 |
Producer name: BIOG128402 Photographed by:Capt Tristram C S Speedy |
Production date: 19thC(late)-20thC(early) |
Production place: Made in:Karnak (Thebes)Made in:Nile, River

photographic print

Museum number: Af,B7.29 |
Producer name: Office/studio of:Jabez HughesOffice/studio of:Royal Photographic Studio |
Production date: 1868

photographic print

Museum number: Af,B7.10 |
Producer name: BIOG128402 Photographed by:Capt Tristram C S Speedy |
Production date: 1868 |
Production place: Made in:Sudan

photographic print

Museum number: Af,B7.7 |
Producer name: BIOG128402 Photographed by:Capt Tristram C S Speedy |
Production date: 1868 |
Production place: Made in:Sudan

photographic print

Museum number: Af,B7.3 |
Producer name: BIOG128402 Photographed by:Capt Tristram C S Speedy |
Production date: 1868 |
Production place: Made in:Sudan