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Bob Brier is a prominent American Egyptologist, born on December 13, 1943, in New York. He is widely known by the nickname “Mr. Mummy” due to his extensive specialization in the study of mummies and paleopathology. He serves as a Senior Research Fellow at Long Island University (LIU), where he has dedicated his career to uncovering the secrets of ancient Egyptian mummification.

Academic Background and Career
Raised in the Bronx, Brier earned his bachelor’s degree from Hunter College of the City University of New York. Between 1966 and 1970, he worked with a research team at the Institute for Parapsychology in North Carolina before obtaining his PhD in Philosophy from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1970. He began teaching at Long Island University in 1972, where he chaired the Philosophy Department from 1981 to 1996 and directed the “Egyptology Today” program sponsored by the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Mummification Research and the “Mr. Mummy” Experiment
Dr. Brier has conducted expansive research into mummification techniques worldwide, examining the remains of historical figures such as Tutankhamun, Ramesses II, Vladimir Lenin, Eva Perón, and the Medici family.

In 1994, Brier achieved global fame when he and researcher Ronald Wade successfully mummified a human cadaver using ancient Egyptian tools and methods. This experiment, the first of its kind in over 2,000 years, solidified his reputation as “Mr. Mummy” and was the subject of a renowned National Geographic documentary.

Media and Educational Contributions
Beyond his academic work, Brier has hosted and appeared in numerous television documentaries. He is also celebrated for his specialized lecture series, including:

The History of Ancient Egypt (a comprehensive 48-lecture course).

Great Pharaohs of Ancient Egypt.

He has been honored with the David Newton Award for Excellence in Teaching from Long Island University. Furthermore, he continues to lead scientific and cultural expeditions to Egypt as part of specialized archaeological programs.