Richard Morris (archaeologist)
Encyclopedia
Richard Morris OBE is an English archaeologist and historian who specialises in the study of churchyard and battlefield archaeology. Having been involved in the discipline since the early 1970s, he has worked at a number of British universities, including the University of York
, the University of Leeds
and the University of Huddersfield
, as well as publishing a series of books on the subject of archaeology. He has also held a number of significant positions within the British archaeological community, both as former director of the Council for British Archaeology
, and as a former Commissioner of English Heritage
.
Morris studied English at Oxford University before proceeding to study music at the University of York, until he finally decided to go into archaeology as an academic vocation. His first book, Cathedrals and Abbeys of England and Wales, was published in 1979, and would be followed by two others on the same subject over the followign decade, The Church in British Archaeology (1983) and Churches in the Landscape (1989). Moving on in his interests, Morris published three books on the role of the Royal Air Force
in the Second World War, Guy Gibson (1994), Cheshire: The Biography of Leonard Cheshire VC OM (2000) and Breaching the German Dams (2008). He is currently chair of The Blackden Trust, a charitable organisation involved in historical and archaeological investigation of Blackden in Cheshire, the Late Medieval home of novelist Alan Garner
.
, and then finally moving into the field of archaeology.
He serves as the chair of The Blackden Trust, a charitable organisation devoted to undertaking historical and archaeological research into the Late Mediaeval-Early Modern building at Blackden in Cheshire
, which has been the home of novelist Alan Garner
since 1957. In undertaking excavations at the site he has been aided by field archaeologist Mark Roberts
of the Institute of Archaeology
, University College London
.
In 2003, Morris was awarded an Order of the British Empire
(OBE) for his services to archaeology. Several years later, in 2010, he was employed by the University of Huddersfield.
University of York
The University of York , is an academic institution located in the city of York, England. Established in 1963, the campus university has expanded to more than thirty departments and centres, covering a wide range of subjects...
, the University of Leeds
University of Leeds
The University of Leeds is a British Redbrick university located in the city of Leeds, West Yorkshire, England...
and the University of Huddersfield
University of Huddersfield
The University of Huddersfield is a university located in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, England.- History :The University traces its roots back to a Science and Mechanic Institute founded in 1825...
, as well as publishing a series of books on the subject of archaeology. He has also held a number of significant positions within the British archaeological community, both as former director 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...
, and as a former Commissioner of English Heritage
English Heritage
English Heritage . is an executive non-departmental public body of the British Government sponsored by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport...
.
Morris studied English at Oxford University before proceeding to study music at the University of York, until he finally decided to go into archaeology as an academic vocation. His first book, Cathedrals and Abbeys of England and Wales, was published in 1979, and would be followed by two others on the same subject over the followign decade, The Church in British Archaeology (1983) and Churches in the Landscape (1989). Moving on in his interests, Morris published three books on the role of the 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...
in the Second World War, Guy Gibson (1994), Cheshire: The Biography of Leonard Cheshire VC OM (2000) and Breaching the German Dams (2008). He is currently chair of The Blackden Trust, a charitable organisation involved in historical and archaeological investigation of Blackden in Cheshire, the Late Medieval home of novelist Alan Garner
Alan Garner
With his first book published, Garner abandoned his work as a labourer and gained a job as a freelance television reporter, living a "hand to mouth" lifestyle on a "shoestring" budget...
.
Biography
Morris initially studied English at Oxford University, before going on to study music at the University of YorkUniversity of York
The University of York , is an academic institution located in the city of York, England. Established in 1963, the campus university has expanded to more than thirty departments and centres, covering a wide range of subjects...
, and then finally moving into the field of archaeology.
He serves as the chair of The Blackden Trust, a charitable organisation devoted to undertaking historical and archaeological research into the Late Mediaeval-Early Modern building at Blackden in Cheshire
Cheshire
Cheshire is a ceremonial county in North West England. Cheshire's county town is the city of Chester, although its largest town is Warrington. Other major towns include Widnes, Congleton, Crewe, Ellesmere Port, Runcorn, Macclesfield, Winsford, Northwich, and Wilmslow...
, which has been the home of novelist Alan Garner
Alan Garner
With his first book published, Garner abandoned his work as a labourer and gained a job as a freelance television reporter, living a "hand to mouth" lifestyle on a "shoestring" budget...
since 1957. In undertaking excavations at the site he has been aided by field archaeologist Mark Roberts
Mark Roberts (archaeologist)
Mark Brian Roberts is an English archaeologist specialising in the study of the Palaeolithic. He is best known for his discovery and subsequent excavations at the Lower Palaeolithic site of Boxgrove Quarry in southern England. He is also a teacher and Senior Research Fellow of the Institute of...
of the Institute of Archaeology
Institute of Archaeology
The UCL Institute of Archaeology is an academic department of the Social & Historical Sciences Faculty of University College London , England. It is one of the largest departments of archaeology in the world, with over 80 members of academic staff and 500 students...
, University College London
University College London
University College London is a public research university located in London, United Kingdom and the oldest and largest constituent college of the federal University of London...
.
In 2003, Morris was awarded an Order of the British Empire
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
(OBE) for his services to archaeology. Several years later, in 2010, he was employed by the University of Huddersfield.
Books
| Title | Year | Publisher | ISBN |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cathedrals and Abbeys of England and Wales | 1979 | ||
| The Church in British Archaeology | 1983 | ||
| Churches in the Landscape | 1989 | ||
| Guy Gibson | 1994 | ||
| Cheshire: The Biography of Leonard Cheshire VC OM | 2000 | ||
| Breaching the German Dams | 2008 | ||