Kenneth St Joseph
Encyclopedia
John Kenneth Sinclair St Joseph, CBE (1912-1994) was a British
archaeologist, geologist
and Royal Air Force
(RAF) veteran who pioneered the use of aerial photography
as a method of archaeological research in Britain and Ireland.
he served as an intelligence analyst with the RAF looking at photographs of bombing operations to judge their effectiveness.
337 and employed a pilot, allowing for a systematic and extensive programme of aerial archaeology. This aircraft remained in use for forty years.
Numerous new and important sites were discovered as a result of these surveys, including Mucking
which was photographed on 16 June 1959. This discovery resulted in a major excavation lasting 13 years. His interest in Roman Britain continued, and the aerial survey work discovered more than 200 previously unknown Roman forts.
Some of the results of these photographic surveys were published in a series of books, the first of which - Monastic sites from the air - included text annotating the photos from David Knowles, Professor of Medieval History, who had been an influential supporter of St Joseph's appointment. The collection is now housed in the Cambridge University Unit for
Landscape Modelling which is the new name for the Aerial Photography unit.
in 1939 and held this post until 1962. He was a tutor from 1945 and librarian from 1946. Between 1974 and 1980 he was Vice-Master. He was appointed curator in Aerial Photography by the University in 1948 and Director from 1962 to 1980. He was a member of the Council for British Archaeology
for 50 years from 1944.
British people
The British are citizens of the United Kingdom, of the Isle of Man, any of the Channel Islands, or of any of the British overseas territories, and their descendants...
archaeologist, geologist
Geologist
A geologist is a scientist who studies the solid and liquid matter that constitutes the Earth as well as the processes and history that has shaped it. Geologists usually engage in studying geology. Geologists, studying more of an applied science than a theoretical one, must approach Geology using...
and Royal Air Force
Royal Air Force
The Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...
(RAF) veteran who pioneered the use of aerial photography
Aerial photography
Aerial photography is the taking of photographs of the ground from an elevated position. The term usually refers to images in which the camera is not supported by a ground-based structure. Cameras may be hand held or mounted, and photographs may be taken by a photographer, triggered remotely or...
as a method of archaeological research in Britain and Ireland.
Early life
Kenneth St Joseph was born in Cookley, Worcestershire on November 13, 1912 and attended school at Bromsgrove. He studied geology at Cambridge University and graduated in 1934. He was appointed as a lecturer in geology at Cambridge in 1937 after completing his post graduate degree. During World War IIWorld War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
he served as an intelligence analyst with the RAF looking at photographs of bombing operations to judge their effectiveness.
Aerial photography
As a school boy, St Joseph had been interested in Roman Britain and in the 1930s, he was able to exploit a family connection to take part in an excavation at Hadrian's Wall where he met O G S Crawford. From this meeting, St Joseph developed an interest in aerial photography. St Joseph's subsequent war time experience convinced him that aerial photography had a potentially vital role in discovering and analyzing archaeological sites. In 1948 he was appointed curator (and subsequently, director) of aerial photography at Cambridge University. Initially, he was able to persuade the RAF to take photographs for him without charge. When the RAF became unwilling to continue this programme, the university authorities hired an aircraft. In 1965, they bought a Cessna SkymasterCessna Skymaster
The Cessna Skymaster is a United States twin-engine civil utility aircraft built in a push-pull configuration. Its engines are mounted in the nose and rear of its pod-style fuselage. Twin booms extend aft of the wings to the vertical stabilizers, with the rear engine between them. The horizontal...
337 and employed a pilot, allowing for a systematic and extensive programme of aerial archaeology. This aircraft remained in use for forty years.
Numerous new and important sites were discovered as a result of these surveys, including Mucking
Mucking excavation
The Mucking excavation was a major archeological dig that covered an area of near Mucking, in southern Essex, England. The excavations took place between 1965 and 1978, prior to gravel extraction. At the time it was the largest excavation in Europe and it was the first opportunity to excavate a...
which was photographed on 16 June 1959. This discovery resulted in a major excavation lasting 13 years. His interest in Roman Britain continued, and the aerial survey work discovered more than 200 previously unknown Roman forts.
Some of the results of these photographic surveys were published in a series of books, the first of which - Monastic sites from the air - included text annotating the photos from David Knowles, Professor of Medieval History, who had been an influential supporter of St Joseph's appointment. The collection is now housed in the Cambridge University Unit for
Landscape Modelling which is the new name for the Aerial Photography unit.
Academic career
St Joseph was appointed as a lecturer in Natural Sciences at Selwyn College, CambridgeSelwyn College, Cambridge
Selwyn College is a constituent college in the University of Cambridge in England, United Kingdom.The college was founded by the Selwyn Memorial Committee in memory of the Rt Reverend George Selwyn , who rowed on the Cambridge crew in the first Varsity Boat Race in 1829, and went on to become the...
in 1939 and held this post until 1962. He was a tutor from 1945 and librarian from 1946. Between 1974 and 1980 he was Vice-Master. He was appointed curator in Aerial Photography by the University in 1948 and Director from 1962 to 1980. He was a member of the Council for British Archaeology
Council for British Archaeology
Established in 1944, the is an educational charity working throughout the UK to involve people in archaeology and to promote the appreciation and care of the historic environment for the benefit of present and future generations...
for 50 years from 1944.
Personal
In 1945, he married Daphne March and they had two sons and two daughters. He was awarded a CBE in 1979. He died at Histon, near Cambridge on 11 March 1994.Books
His research was published in books and articles under the name J. K. S. St Joseph.- Knowles, David & St. Joseph, J. K. S. (1952). Monastic sites from the air. Cambridge University Press.
- Beresford M & St Joseph J K. (1958). Medieval England an Aerial Survey
- Norman, E. R., & St Joseph, J. K. S. (1969). The early development of Irish society. Cambridge University Press.
- St Joseph, J. K. S. (1977). Uses of air photography. Prometheus Books.
- S.S.Frere & J.K.St.Joseph (1983) Roman Britain from the Air Cambridge University Press.