In memory of John J. Johnston
1965-2025
In Memoriam
In August 2025, we lost our dear friend, colleague and ISSE Ambassador, John J. Johnston. This webpage is dedicated to his memory. To read our obituary, please click here.
John’s legacy
John meant so much to so many people and communities. We were lucky to have known John, and to have been able to experience his incomparable knowledge of all things Egyptology, classics, Hammer Horror, theatre and Doctor Who. His friendship and support has left a lasting mark on us for all time, but John also leaves behind a legacy in written word, audio and film that we are able to turn to in times of sadness
At ISSE, we wanted to create this online space, not only to commemorate John and his support of the Society, but to help share his words and knowledge with everyone who ventures onto our site.
The following resources have been collected by the ISSE Committee, by our members, and by John’s friends and colleagues. We hope that you will read his words, watch his videos, and join us in celebrating his life.
Resources are grouped together by theme, and to find videos, please scroll down the page. If you have a suggestion to add to this page, please do share it with us by heading to our contact page. Please note that we link off to external pages.
Vale, dear John.
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ISSE interview - Spring 2025 Membership magazine
We interviewed John in Spring 2025 for our third issue of ISSE magazine. We have made the interview available for all to download for free.
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The Pyramids of Mars: Egypopcult project
John collaborated with the Egypopcult project, and produced articles on the Doctor Who episode ‘The Pyramids of Mars’ (1975)
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Doctor Who Magazine Issue 39 (SE)
In this issue of the BBC’s official Doctor Who Magazine, John wrote an episode guide for Series 8, Episode 10 ‘In the Forest of Night’
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Doctor Who Magazine Issue 40 (SE)
In this issue of the BBC’s official Doctor Who Magazine, John wrote an article entitled ‘Luminous Clouds and Time Corridors’ exploring 50 years of opening titles
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Doctor Who Magazine Issue 556
In this issue of the BBC’s official Doctor Who Magazine, John wrote an article with Dan Tostevin entitled ‘Epic Intent’ giving an overview of the various strands of Time Lord Victorious and how they tie tother.
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Excavating a Television Classic: Pyramids of Mars (1975)
This article was republished on Dr. Angela Stienne’s blog in honour of John. You can read the post below and explore Angela’s site. The article is available for free.
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Nine Worlds 2016: Pyramids of Mars
In 2016, John was a guest for the third year as a Nine Worlds guest where he discussed the Doctor Who episode Pyramids of Mars
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Egypt in Space: A Brief History of ‘Pyramids of Mars’
in 2018, Nile Scribes invited John to publish an article on their website on Pyramids of Mars. You can read it on the Nile Scribes website below
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The House of Hammer Podcast interview
In tribute to John, The House of Hammer Podcast have made a full version of the conversation between John and Cev available.
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The Beat Goes On: The Making of The Mummy's Shroud
In 2012, Hammer Horror’s The Mummy’s Shroud (1967) was released on Blu Ray DVD. John appears on the documentary on the special features.
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Gallows Humour: Inside the Horror of Frankenstein
in 2018, Hammer Horror’s The Horror of Frankenstein (1970) was released on Blu Ray DVD. John appears on the documentary on the special features.
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Beyond Isis and Osiris: Petrie Museum Trail
Alternate sexualities in Ancient Egypt. This document is available below and was made available by John on Academia.edu.
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Beyond Isis and Osiris Part 1
Alternate Sexualities in Ancient Egypt. The first part of John’s article featured on Dr Debbie Challis’ website. The article is available to read for free.
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Beyond Isis and Osiris Part 2
Alternate Sexualities in Ancient Egypt. The second part of John’s article featured on Dr Debbie Challis’ website. The article is available to read of free.
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Victorian Mummy Unrolling Demonstration
This article from 2022 on the Salterton Arts Review website covers John’s famed theatre show.
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John J. Johnston's Academia.edu page
John made a number of his papers available for download, and on the page, listed his talks and other publications
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Unearthed - the Mummy in fiction
UNEARTHED, published in 2013, resurrects eleven classic tales of the mummy, selected by John J. Johnston and Jared Shurin. It features an introduction by John.
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Mummified By Dr Angela Stienne
John wrote the introduction to Mummified, a book by Dr Angela Stienne that tells the stories behind Egyptian Mummies in museums
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Narratives of Egypt and the Ancient Near East:
‘Literary and Linguistic Approaches.’ Alongside other scholars, John edited this volume on narratives of Egypt and the Ancient Near East
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A Good Scribe and an Exceedingly Wise Man
‘Studies in Honour of W.J. Tait.’ In 2014, John, Aidan Dodson and Wendy Monkhouse co-edited this volume of essays honouring Professor John Tait
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The Book of the Dead: Introduction by John
John provided an introduction titled’ "Some Words from an Egyptologist" for this collection of 19 mummy stories edited by Jared Shurin in 2012
Videos
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Obituary: Past Preservers remember John
Read more about John’s contributions to Past Preservers.
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Obituary: Egypt Exploration Society
Read more about John’s contributions to EES, written by Aidan Dodson