Dr Jon Thompson

Our former colleague, Dr Jon Thompson, died peacefully and without pain in hospital on 23rd January 2020. Jon, a renowned scholar in the field of Islamic textiles, was Research Associate at the Khalili Research Centre and May Beattie Fellow in Carpet Studies at the Ashmolean Museum from 2001–2007. In addition to directing and beginning to set in order The May Beattie Carpet Archive, he lectured engagingly and with rare lucidity on carpet studies, taught various aspects of Safavid art, and supervised graduate  students.

Jon’s funeral will take place  on Tuesday 18 February at 11.30am, at the small parish church of St Laurence, South Hinksey, OX1 5AQ, just outside Oxford. The service will be followed by a light lunch in the Village Hall, on Manor Road, South Hinksey, OX1 5AS. Space in St Laurence’s is limited, and those wishing to attend should please inform his children, Anne Cotton and David Thompson, by 11th February by email to annekcotton@gmail.com . Please note that the family have asked that no gifts of flowers be made.