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In 1949, Birley established the first International Congress of Roman Frontier Studies.<ref name=dept/> During his tenure, he was president of all three of the local archaeological societies.<ref name=dept/> Also, during his years at Durham, he would influence such notable students as George Jobey and John Gillam, each of whom would go on to hold prestigious university teaching positions.<ref name=dept/> One student recalls that Birley was "incredibly generous and trusting in … [his] … support to students."<ref name=dept/> |
In 1949, Birley established the first International Congress of Roman Frontier Studies.<ref name=dept/> During his tenure, he was president of all three of the local archaeological societies.<ref name=dept/> Also, during his years at Durham, he would influence such notable students as George Jobey and John Gillam, each of whom would go on to hold prestigious university teaching positions.<ref name=dept/> One student recalls that Birley was "incredibly generous and trusting in … [his] … support to students."<ref name=dept/> |
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Birley would become known as an expert on the [[Roman army]]. For his "practical experience of the ways in which modern armies work," he was inspired in asking questions about organisation and methods of the Roman army.<ref>Eric Birley: “Introduction,” ''[http://books.google.com/books?id=zmloAAAAMAAJ&q=%22The+Roman+Army%22+%22eric+birley%22&dq=%22The+Roman+Army%22+%22eric+birley%22&hl=en&ei=7Im7TICdD8upnQeg_-HlCg&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CC4Q6AEwAA The Roman Army: Papers 1929–1986].'' Amsterdam: J.C. Gieben, 1988. p. vii.</ref> His expertise and work in this field served to make Birley the founder of the ''Durham School'' having attracted<blockquote>several highly-talented and influential postgraduate students to the Department, whose research has … "epitomised, and to a large degree set the agenda for, British work on the Roman military for much of the twentieth century."<ref name=james>James, Simon. “Writing the legions: the development and future of Roman military studies in Britain,” ''[[Royal Archaeological Institute|Archaeological Journal]]''. 2002. v. 159, pp. 1-58. As cited in Draper.</ref> Often known collectively as the "Durham School," they include David Breeze (Chief Inspector of [[Ancient Monuments]] for [[Historic Scotland]] and [[Visiting Professor]] at Durham University since 1994), Brian Dobson (Emeritus Reader at Durham University), the late Mike Jarrett (former Professor at [[Cardiff University]]), Valerie Maxfield (Professor at [[Exeter University]]) and John Wilkes ([[Emeritus Professor]] at the [[Institute of Archaeology|London Institute of Archaeology]]).<ref name=dept/></blockquote> |
Birley would become known as an expert on the [[Roman army]]. For his "practical experience of the ways in which modern armies work," he was inspired in asking questions about organisation and methods of the Roman army.<ref>Eric Birley: “Introduction,” ''[http://books.google.com/books?id=zmloAAAAMAAJ&q=%22The+Roman+Army%22+%22eric+birley%22&dq=%22The+Roman+Army%22+%22eric+birley%22&hl=en&ei=7Im7TICdD8upnQeg_-HlCg&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CC4Q6AEwAA The Roman Army: Papers 1929–1986].'' Amsterdam: J.C. Gieben, 1988. p. vii.</ref> His expertise and work in this field served to make Birley the founder of the ''Durham School'' having attracted<blockquote>several highly-talented and influential postgraduate students to the Department, whose research has … "epitomised, and to a large degree set the agenda for, British work on the Roman military for much of the twentieth century."<ref name=james>James, Simon. “Writing the legions: the development and future of Roman military studies in Britain,” ''[[Royal Archaeological Institute|Archaeological Journal]]''. 2002. v. 159, pp. 1-58. As cited in Draper.</ref> Often known collectively as the "Durham School," they include David Breeze (Chief Inspector of [[Ancient Monuments]] for [[Historic Scotland]] and [[Visiting Professor]] at Durham University since 1994), Brian Dobson (Emeritus Reader at Durham University), the late Mike Jarrett (former Professor at [[Cardiff University]]), Valerie Maxfield (Professor at [[Exeter University]]) and John Wilkes ([[Emeritus Professor]] at the [[Institute of Archaeology|London Institute of Archaeology]]).<ref name=dept/></blockquote>Birley's influence is still very much alive in the Archaeology Department at Durham University: "Durham Archaeology is still founded on the vision and determination of its early pioneers, notably Eric Birley and … [his] … influence lives on in successive generations of staff and students."<ref name=dept/> |
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In Birley's obituary, former Durham PhD student and Emeritus Yates Professor of Greek and Roman Archaeology at the [[Institute of Archaeology]], John Wilkes wrote in ''[[The Independent]]'' that "Eric Birley dominated the study of the Roman army, of Hadrian's Wall and Roman frontiers in general for much of his 40 years as a teacher at Durham University, interrupted only by six years of war service, when he was engaged in the study of the German army for Military Intelligence."<ref name=independent/> |
In Birley's obituary, former Durham PhD student and Emeritus Yates Professor of Greek and Roman Archaeology at the [[Institute of Archaeology]], John Wilkes wrote in ''[[The Independent]]'' that "Eric Birley dominated the study of the Roman army, of Hadrian's Wall and Roman frontiers in general for much of his 40 years as a teacher at Durham University, interrupted only by six years of war service, when he was engaged in the study of the German army for Military Intelligence."<ref name=independent/> |
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Eric Barff Birley | |
---|---|
![]() Birley’s Hatfield College portrait. | |
Born | |
Died | 20 October 1995 | (aged 89)
Nationality | English |
Citizenship | United Kingdom |
Alma mater | Clifton College Brasenose College, Oxford |
Known for | Excavations of Hadrian's Wall at Vindolanda Studies into the organization and methods of the Roman Army |
Scientific career | |
Fields | History Archaeology |
Institutions | Hatfield College University of Durham |
Notable students | David Breeze John Gillam George Jobey John Wilkes |
Eric Barff Birley[1] (12 January 1906 - 20 October 1995), was a British historian and archaeologist, particularly associated with the excavation of the forts of Hadrian's Wall, notably at Vindolanda. He was born in Eccles, Lancashire, England, on 12 January 1906.[2][3] He died in Carvoran House, Greenhead,[4] Northumberland, England, on 20 October 1995, age 89.[2]
Education and career
He was educated at Clifton College and Brasenose, Oxford, where he obtained a double first in Greats and Classical Mods[5]. He was influenced in the study of history and archaeology by Michael Holroyd, his Brasenose tutor;[2] R. G. Collingwood, the reknown authority on Roman Britain;[2] and F.G. Simpson, Director of Field Studies at Durham, and a great influence on Birley vis-á-vis the art and science of excavation.[6]
Under the direction of F.G. Simpson, Birley began excavating at Hadrian's Wall in 1927 while an undergraduate.[3] Birley’s first archaeological dig occurred at Birdoswald.[3] After graduating from Oxford, Birley worked for a short time for the Society of Antiquaries of London acting as a construction site observer for the Society.[2][3] It was during this period in London that Birley befriended Mortimer Wheeler of the London Museum engendering in Birley a lifelong interest in "imported Roman 'samian' pottery with moulded decoration."[2] A chance discovery in 1929 of two inscription stones in the praetentura[7] at Birdoswald led Birley to suggest redating the Wall periods. This discovery, and Birley's redating, impacted the study of Roman Britain tremendously inasmuch as it "has formed the basis of all subsequent work on the chronology of Hadrian's Wall."[3]
In 1929, having developed a keen interest in the Wall through his excavations, Birley succeeded in buying the Clayton Estate[3] at Chesterholm[2][6] that had belonged to Anthony Hedley, the 19th century antiquary.[2] Nearby Houselands would also come up for sale, Birley could not afford both properties, although he would eventually excavate them both.[3] Chesterholm-Vindolanda would eventually be converted into a museum and research centre, in which the spectacular finds from Vindolanda would be displayed and interpreted.
![Eric Birley and other archaeologists in situ at a dig at Birdoswald](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/b/b1/Eric_Birley_004b.jpg/220px-Eric_Birley_004b.jpg)
In 1931, at the age of 24, he became a lecturer[2][6] at the University of Durham, "already with an impressive record of excavation on Hadrian’s Wall, partly under the guidance of F.G. Simpson,"[6] whom he would replace upon the latter's stepping down as Director of Field Studies.[6] He was promoted to reader in 1943.[2][6] In 1947, he became Vice Master of Hatfield College.[5][6] In 1949, he was promoted to Master of Hatfield.[5][6] He would would finish his academic career as Master of Hatfield College (1949-1956);[2][5][6] as Professor of Romano-British History and Archaeology (1956-1971);[2][5][6] Head of the Department of Archaeology (1956-1971).[5][6]; and Dean of Faculty of Social Sciences (1968-1971).[2]
In 1949, Birley established the first International Congress of Roman Frontier Studies.[6] During his tenure, he was president of all three of the local archaeological societies.[6] Also, during his years at Durham, he would influence such notable students as George Jobey and John Gillam, each of whom would go on to hold prestigious university teaching positions.[6] One student recalls that Birley was "incredibly generous and trusting in … [his] … support to students."[6]
Birley would become known as an expert on the Roman army. For his "practical experience of the ways in which modern armies work," he was inspired in asking questions about organisation and methods of the Roman army.[9] His expertise and work in this field served to make Birley the founder of the Durham School having attracted
several highly-talented and influential postgraduate students to the Department, whose research has … "epitomised, and to a large degree set the agenda for, British work on the Roman military for much of the twentieth century."[10] Often known collectively as the "Durham School," they include David Breeze (Chief Inspector of Ancient Monuments for Historic Scotland and Visiting Professor at Durham University since 1994), Brian Dobson (Emeritus Reader at Durham University), the late Mike Jarrett (former Professor at Cardiff University), Valerie Maxfield (Professor at Exeter University) and John Wilkes (Emeritus Professor at the London Institute of Archaeology).[6]
Birley's influence is still very much alive in the Archaeology Department at Durham University: "Durham Archaeology is still founded on the vision and determination of its early pioneers, notably Eric Birley and … [his] … influence lives on in successive generations of staff and students."[6]
In Birley's obituary, former Durham PhD student and Emeritus Yates Professor of Greek and Roman Archaeology at the Institute of Archaeology, John Wilkes wrote in The Independent that "Eric Birley dominated the study of the Roman army, of Hadrian's Wall and Roman frontiers in general for much of his 40 years as a teacher at Durham University, interrupted only by six years of war service, when he was engaged in the study of the German army for Military Intelligence."[2]
World War II service
During World War II, he worked in military intelligence.[5] He remained in the military until December 1945 leaving with the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel.[5] He was awarded an MBE and the Polonia Restituta for his service during the war.[5]
Personal life
In 1934, he married Margaret Isabel Goodlet,[3][5] a former student of his,[3] a marriage that would last over 60 years until his death.[3] Their two sons, Robin (1935– ) and Anthony (1937– ), would both become eminent in their field, and would continue their father's work at Vindolanda. The eldest, Robin, was named after Birley's great influence, R.G. Collingwood, while the youngest, Anthony, was named after Anthony Hedley, the former owner of Chesterholm.[3] While still excavating at Chesterholm-Vindolanda to this day, the Birley family no longer reside there having left Chesterholm for Durham in 1950.[3]
Birley family
Eric was the great-great-nephew of Hugh Hornby Birley, who led the troops at the Peterloo Massacre.[11]
References
- ^ “Emeritus Professor Eric Barff Birley, M.B.E., M.A.,Dr.Phil.,D.Litt., F.B.A., Hon.F.S.A.Scot.,” Society of Antiquaries of London. n.d. (Retrieved 2010-10-18.)
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n Wilkes, John. “Obituary: Professor Eric Birley,” The Independent. Thursday, 26 October 1995. (Retrieved 2010-10-18.)
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Breeze, David J. “Eric Birley (1906-1995): Vice-President 1951-1995,” [Obituary] Britannia. Society for the Promotion of Roman Studies. Vol. 27, (1996), pp. xi-xiv. (Retrieved 2010-10-18.)
- ^ “Professor Eric Barff Birley,” thePeerage.com. (Retrieved 2010-10-18.)
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j “Hatfield College History: Principals & Masters,” Durham University. (Retrieved 2010-10-18).
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q Draper, Simon. “From Aesica to Asia: A Short History of Archaeology at Durham University,” Durham University. (Retrieved 2010-10-18.)
- ^ “‘forward extent’ This was the front part of the camp, between the via principalis and the porta praetoria, and bisected by the via praetoria. This area was generally filled with the tents or barrack-blocks of the garrison, the first cohort of a legion being always housed here. In the camp described by Hyginus, this area also contained the valetudinarium and veterinarium, the tribunes' houses, the scholae of the officers, and the fabrica; most of these building being transferred to the latera praetorii in the auxiliary forts.” from “ The Roman Army in Britain: Roman Military Glossary, Roman-Britain.org (Retrieved 2010-10-18)
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
draper
was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Eric Birley: “Introduction,” The Roman Army: Papers 1929–1986. Amsterdam: J.C. Gieben, 1988. p. vii.
- ^ James, Simon. “Writing the legions: the development and future of Roman military studies in Britain,” Archaeological Journal. 2002. v. 159, pp. 1-58. As cited in Draper.
- ^ Entry on Birley family genealogy