M. W. Barley

Maurice Willmore Barley (19 August 1909 - 23 June 1991)[1] was an English historian and archaeologist, specialising in medieval settlements and historic buildings.

Barley was born and raised in Lincoln; his father was a prominent member of the Workers' Educational Association. Barley studied history at Reading, taking a Dip.Ed in 1932. Here he met his future wife, Diana. Barley taught at a school in Grimsby, then went to work at University College, Hull in the Department of Local History. At this time he also taught local history and archaeology at adult education classes in Lindsey and East Yorkshire. Following contact with the eminent folklorist Ethel Rudkin, Barley's interest in local history intensified; his publications on the subject cover slate headstones, varieties of apple, architecture and archaeology.[1]

During the Second World War, Barley worked for the Ministry of Information and lived in Oxfordshire. In 1946, he joined the Extra-Mural Department of Nottingham University, and bought the Old Hall at North Muskham. He was Organising Tutor of the University College in Rural Nottinghamshire until 1962, in which year he became Senior Lecturer in the Department of Classics, and Reader in Archaeology in 1965. He was appointed Nottingham's first professor of Archaeology in 1971. Barley organised major excavations of the Roman fort and town at Great Casterton, Rutland, and the medieval borough at Torksey, alongside minor excavations in Nottingham and Newark. At Nottingham, he developed his interest in medieval and vernacular architecture, and took an M.A. in the subject in 1952. He published many articles on buildings, publishing his most important book, 'The English Farmhouse and Cottage', in 1961. Also noteworthy was his 'Guide to British topographical collections' of 1974. From 1951 Barley had been actively involved in the development of the Council for British Archaeology, as a member of the Executive Committee, then as Secretary (from 1954-64). Between 1957 and 1963 he was President of the Vernacular Architecture Group and between 1972 and 1990 Chairman of the York Archaeological Trust.[2]

Barley retired from the university in 1974, but remained academically active, being prominent in local and national heritage bodies and trusts, and campaigning on conservation issues. Having suffered serious illness for some years, Barley nonetheless remained correcting proofs and preparing his autobiography for publication until just before his death.

Barley's most valuable contribution to folklore is his seminal work on Plough Monday folk plays; from the 1930s through to the 1950s, he collected material, partly from or through members of his evening classes, with some work conducted for local periodicals and the B.B.C..[1]

References

  1. 1 2 3 "An Error Occurred Setting Your User Cookie".
  2. ↑ "Maurice Willmore Barley".

External links

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