Fellows, Charles, Sir, 1799-1860

British archaeologist, known for his expeditions in Asia Minor. He discovered the ruins of Xanthus, the ancient capital of Lycia, in 1838.

From the description of Charles Fellows correspondence, 1820-1879, bulk 1839-1852. (Getty Research Institute). WorldCat record id: 79118058

Biographical/Historical Note

Sir Charles Fellows (1799-1860) was an English explorer and archaeologist, best known for his expeditions in Asia Minor, especially in the district of ancient Lycia (in present-day Turkey). During his first journey to this area in 1838, he discovered the ruins of the ancient town of Xanthus. The publication in 1839 of his journal of this expedition aroused great interest, particularly at the British Museum, which requested that he bring artifacts back to England on subsequent voyages. The museum helped arrange a royal decree (firman) from the Sultan to enable Fellows to take away Lycian architectural remnants and sculpture. The firman was obtained in 1842 while Fellows was on his third expedition to the area. At the end of that year he shipped 78 cases from Xanthus to the British Museum. In 1844 he extracted an additional 27 cases of artifacts.

Eventually, Fellows's relationship with the British Museum Trustees changed from one of mutual support to a battle over the design of the display of Xanthian marbles. Fellows argued that the artifacts should be arranged according to archaeological principles, and bitterly criticized the display the sculptor Sir Richard Westmacott produced for the museum.

Fellows published several accounts of his travels and discoveries in Lycia. In his publication, The Xanthian marbles (London: John Murray, 1843) Fellows describes his view of the incidents connected with the acquisition of the marbles, in order to correct mistaken accounts and rumors. His other publications include The Inscribed monument at Xanthus ( 1842 ), An Account of discoveries in Lycia ( 1841 ), and his first, A Journal written during an excursion in Asia Minor 1838, ( 1839 ).

From the guide to the Charles Fellows correspondence, 1820-1879, 1839-1852, (Getty Research Institute)