Pike County press. (Milford, Pa.) 1895-1925, 1904-05-13
OBITUARY
MAxwrL1 soMMERvlLLE


every corner Of the globe, frequently
placing him in peril Of his life, and
which resulted in the almost priceless
collections of cut gems and Buddhist
relics which are among the fondest
possessions Of the University of Penn
sylvania, where for the last ten years
he held the chair Of glyptology-Prof.
Maxwell Sommerville, Of 81 South
Tenth Street. Philadelphia, died from
heart failure last Thursday night in
Paris.
The news of Prof. Sommerville's
death was a great shock to his friends,
as the famous gIyptologist had left
Philadelphia near the end Of last
March, looking hale and hearty for all
his seventy-fve years. He was the
head Of the glyptic, or precious gems,
department of the University Archae-
ological Museum, one entire wing Of
which was devoted to the display of
the "Maxwell S0mmerville Collection
of Engraved Gems and the Buddhist
temple which he himself erected with
the japanese, Siamese and Burmese
relics collected during his travels in
Asia.
His will also enriches the University
with several generous bequests.
Few antiquarian scholars have ac-
complished so faithful and successful a
career as has Professor Sommerville.
Born May 1, 1929, in Clarlxsburg, Va,
of DIR. Maxwell Sommerville and Mary
Fulton (McAlpin), he inherited scholar
ly proclivities from both his father and
his mother. 1t was from the latter's
father, James McAlpin, in fact that he
received his first encouragement
toward research. His grandfather
possessed some very fine pieces Of
Greek statuary art and from these
Maxwell SommerviIle, as a boy loved
to make wax impressions and duplica.
tions.
He came to Philadelphia at an early
age and was educated in the Centra
High School.
Upon coming into his fortune h'
proceeded to crafty his bent for tn,
collection of gems and slowly anC
carefully with the assistance anC
advice Of the best experts in 'Europ,
and America, began to accumulate tn,
now famous group Of seals and cameo
and various engraved stones that lie
in the University Museum.
This collection attracted the atten
tion Of archaeolOgists in the earl,
eighties and for three years it was o.
exhibition in the Metropolitan Museum
in New York.
In 1894 it was formally donated
the museum by Sommerville who il
the same year was elected to the chai
of glyptOlogy and made curator of tn
collection. The worth Of this collectio
is estimated at $4,000
During later years the distinguishe
traveller was largely interested in tn
study Of Buddhism and in search {
relics of this ancient faith secured tn
entire southeastern portion of Asia
He built a complete temple by mean
Of collected relics in the west wing {
the museum in which the reproduC
tion was 80 faithful that severa
HindOo travellers visited it to pray.
Not only along the line Of materia
relics, but also of ethical and religion
doctrine, Prof. Sommerville carrie
his investigations, and one of hi
fancies was to dress in the full costum
Of Buddhist priest when he lecture
on the subject.
During his search for talismar
among the wild tribes Of the Africa
/ deserts he met with some hair-breadt
escapes from death at the hands {
superstitious natives, from whom h
tried to buy their fetishes. Once
Greece, while examining a sculpture
foot among some old relics, he wa
surrounded by brigands with levele
carbines. His friends came up almo.
on the instant and drove of his would
be capt0rs. Prof Sommerville nevs
said a word, but went ON examinin
the foot.
His travels took him through Tu
key, Spain, Egypt, the islands Of tn
Mediterranean, Kabylia, the Lydia
Desert, Ceylon, India, Birmah, Sian
: China, japan and the Hawaiia
Islands.
Yet he found time to devote muC
time to social and literary work, belr
= a prominent Mason and Knigh
Templar, a well known figure In
certain select circle Of society, and VI
also connected with the publication
the American reprint Of the "Encyel
pedia Britannica"
His published books include "E
, graved Gems,' "sands Of Sahara,
e "siam on the Merriam, "A Wande
I er's Legend" and numerous mon
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