The link between Peebles and the Rosetta stone is not always as it seems

SIR, The letter in Peeblesshire News concerning Rosetta Caravan Park’s heritage drew attention to the link with the Rosetta stone. The story is sometimes told incorrectly as a consequence of the coincidence that two gentlemen strongly associated with the stone had the same name - Thomas Young - and were both members of the medical profession. Thomas Young, decipherer of the Rosetta stone’s hieroglyphic inscriptions, lived from 1773 to 1829. He was based in London where he undertook medical research and pursued egyptology as a hobby. He had no connection with Peebles. Our Thomas Young lived from 1753 to 1836 and had a distinguished career as a military surgeon including an appointment as Inspector General of military hospitals. In 1801 he was the principal medical officer with the expeditionary force sent to Egypt under the command of Sir Ralph Abercrombie, with whom Young had previously served in the West Indies. Thus he was present when the Rosetta stone came into British ownership. After retiring from the Army, in 1807 Young purchased land in Peebles upon which he built the house he called Rosetta. Although the link between Peebles and the Rosetta stone is not as it has sometimes been described, Rosetta House and its first owner are substantial threads in the rich fabric of Peebles’ heritage. I am, etc.