Canon R. Charles (1855 – 1931)
Robert Henry Charles (1855 – 1931) was an Irish scholar who was Canon (1913 – 1919) and then Archdeacon of Westminster (1919 – 1931). He has written, translated and edited many works, but, for the Copts and those who are interested in Coptology, he is remembered for his translation of the Chronicle of John of Nikiu in 1916, when he was Canon of Westminster, from Ethiopic to English under the title “The Chronicle of John, Bishop of Nikiu: Translated from Zotenberg’s Ethiopic Text”. It was not the first time that such a work was made known to the West: Harmann Zotenberg was the first to translate it to a western language – French – in 1883, under the title “La Chronique de Jean de Nikioû”. Charles’ edition and translation is more accurate.
Though the whole Chronicle is important, its last twelve chapters (from 110-121) are the most important, for without them, as Butler has observed, the history of the Arab invasion of Egypt in 640 AD would not have been written. Our debt to Canon R. Charles is enormous; and if you happen to visit Westminster Abbey, stand by his grave there, pray for his soul, and leave a bunch of flowers at his remains.