Logo of Phnom Penh Post newspaper Phnom Penh Post - Scholar Thomas Maxwell, known for his expertise in Khmer history, dies in Siem Reap aged 74

Scholar Thomas Maxwell, known for his expertise in Khmer history, dies in Siem Reap aged 74

Scholar of ancient Indian and Khmer history Thomas Maxwell (L), pictured with his wife Khieu Sreypov and nephew. Photo supplied
Scholar of ancient Indian and Khmer history Thomas Maxwell (L), pictured with his wife Khieu Sreypov and nephew. Photo supplied

Scholar Thomas Maxwell, known for his expertise in Khmer history, dies in Siem Reap aged 74

Thomas Maxwell, a noted scholar of ancient Indian and Khmer history and culture, died of heart failure at his home in Siem Reap town Sunday last week, colleagues and family confirmed today. He was 74.

Born in England, Maxwell would go on to study at the University of London, and by the end of his life picked up fluency in Hindi, German, French, Khmer and ancient Khmer.

Peter Sharrock of London’s School of Oriental and African Studies expressed praise for Maxwell’s work as scholar.

“His 1997 book The Gods of Asia: Image, Text and Meaning, is a classic because of its lucid descriptions of the identities, mythologies and iconographies of the interlinked multitude of gods in Hinduism,” Sharrock said.

Prior to taking up teaching at the University of Bonn in Germany, Maxwell worked at the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford, according to Sharrock. From Bonn he began annual visits to Cambodia, and was a key contributor to the noted 2007 anthology Bayon: New Perspectives.

After retiring from Bonn after two decades, he settled in Siem Reap in 2008 but continued to contribute to academia until 2015, translating ancient inscriptions from Banteay Chhmar and Preah Khan temples.

There he married his second wife, Khieu Sreypov, 40, in 2006.

Maxwell’s death, along with the recent passing of several other high-profile historians who shaped the view of Cambodian history, marks the “end of an era”, said Ashley Thompson, chair of the London school's Centre for Southeast Asian Studies.

“Without forgetting the singularity of each of these men, it must be said that together, and with many others still among us, they shaped visions of Cambodian history shared by many today,” she wrote.

Described by his acquaintances as highly solitary and quiet, Maxwell’s brother-law Khieu Thy recalled him as “always smiling, friendly, funny and gentle but takes his work seriously”.

He is survived by his widow Sreypov, his ex-wife Jenni Maxwell, and twin sons from his first marriage Jay and Lee. A traditional Khmer funeral will occur at his home in Siem Reap through March 2, and his cremation is scheduled for Thursday.

Additional reporting by Ouk Suntharoth

The original version of this article misstated Thomas Maxwell’s nationality. He is in fact British. This article has been updated with additional biographical details about Maxwell obtained after the original publication.

MOST VIEWED

  • Ministry orders all schools, public and private, to close for SEA Games

    From April 20 to May 18, all public and private educational institutions will be closed to maintain order and support Cambodia's hosting of the 32nd SEA Games and 12th ASEAN Para Games, said a directive from the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport. Cambodia will host the

  • Newest horror film showcases unique Khmer culture, identity

    At first glance, the trailer to new horror sensation The Ritual: Black Nun looks like a western-produced feature film. As the story reveals itself to the viewers, it becomes clearer that this is a Khmer film, with a strong Cambodian identity and close links to

  • Almost 9K tourists see equinox sunrise at Angkor Wat

    Nearly 9,000 visitors – including 2,226 international tourists – gathered at Angkor Wat on March 21 to view the spring equinox sunrise, according to a senior official of the Siem Reap provinical tourism department. Ngov Seng Kak, director of the department, said a total of 8,726 people visited Angkor Wat to

  • Angkor Beer strengthens national pride with golden new look and fresher taste

    Angkor Beer – the "Gold of Angkor" – has a new look, one that is more stylish and carries a premium appeal, as well as a fresher taste and smoother flavour, making it the perfect choice for any gathering. Angkor Beer recently launched its new design, one

  • Water supply authority assures public shortages over early ‘24

    The Phnom Penh Water Supply Authority (PPWSA) asked for understanding from Phnom Penh residents in some communes where water pressure is weak. They assured residents that all supply issues will be resolved by early 2024, but have suggested that residents use water sparingly in the meantime.

  • Khmer ballet documentary debuts April 1

    A new documentary, The Perfect Motion, or Tep Hattha in Khmer, will premiere to the public on April 1. The documentary film follows two intertwined storylines: the creation of a show called Metamorphosis by the late Princess Norodom Buppha Devi (her very last production) and the