Beric M. Morley (19 September 1943 – 28 January 2015)[1] was a British architectural historian and archaeologist. He became a familiar face on the Channel 4 television series Time Team. He was a regional director for English Heritage in the South West of England.[2]
Beric Morley | |
|---|---|
 Morley in 1989 | |
| Born | Beric M. Morley 19 September 1943 Shropshire, England |
| Died | 28 January 2015 (aged 71) |
| Occupation(s) | Architectural historian, archaeologist |
| Known for | Time Team |
Education
editMorley attended Chislehurst and Sidcup Grammar School, before graduating from the University of Southampton with a Master's degree in theoretical physics and a Bachelor of Science in mathematics.
In 1996, at the age of 53, Morley took early retirement to complete a PhD about his first love, castles.[2]
Career
editMorley initially went into teaching. He taught mathematics at Harrow County School for Boys from 1966 to 1969[3] before switching to archaeology, eventually spending thirty years in the profession.[2] His first role in archaeology was as Assistant Inspector of Ancient Monuments in the Ministry of Public Building and Works. He worked in the West Country and the West Midlands before becoming Regional Director for the South West, based in Bristol.[3]
Morley declined an offer to be nominated for a fellowship of the Society of Antiquaries of London early in his career. He felt he had not yet done enough to deserve the honour.[3]
Time Team
editMorley appeared in ten episodes of Time Team between 1995 and 2002.[4]
Alzheimer's disease
editMorley was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in 2004. Three years earlier he had walked out of a shop and suddenly realised he could not remember where he was. With his diagnosis, his academic research ended.[2]
Death
editMorley died on 28 January 2015, at the age of 71.[1]
Personal life
editMorley was married to Judith, a graduate of Durham University, with whom he lived in Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire. They had three children: George and twins Edward and Richard.[2]
Books
edit
Morley had several books published during his career, including:[5]
- Henry VIII and the Development of Coastal Defence (1976)
- Blackfriars, Gloucester (1979)
- Peveril Castle (1993)
- The Castles of Pendennis and St Mawes (1995)
- Castle Rising Castle, Norfolk (1997)
References
edit- ^ a b "Beric Morley: Obituary: Leighton Buzzard Online, 3 February 2015". Archived from the original on 16 November 2015. Retrieved 2 November 2015.
- ^ a b c d e Alzheimers ends glittering career for Linslade scholar - Leighton Buzzard Online, 1 May 2008
- ^ a b c Society of Antiquaries of London Online Newsletter, Salon: Issue 330 (12 April 2015)
- ^ "Beric Morley". IMDb.
- ^ Morley, B. M. - Worldcat.org