 He demonstrated a proficiency in languages from an early age, and began working with Egyptian hieroglyphs while still in school.While often described as entirely self-taught, the Griffith Institute Archives say that he studied hieroglyphs at University College, London, as a student of Margaret Murray.In 1905 he played the role of "Priest of the Floods and Storms" in the Theosophical Society of London's production of "The Shrine of the Golden Hawk", written and directed by Florence Farr.