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Donald Henson

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Donald Henson
FSA FHEA MCIfA
Born9 May 1956
DiedApril 11, 2021(2021-04-11) (aged 64)
Other namesGwyn Jones
Don Henson
Academic background
Alma materUniversity of York
ThesisThe Meso-what? The public perceptions of the Mesolithic. (2016)
Doctoral advisorNicky Milner
Academic work
DisciplineArchaeology, Prehistory
Sub-disciplinePublic archaeology
InstitutionsWakefield Museum
Council for British Archaeology
University of York

Donald 'Don' Henson FSA FHEA MCIfA (9 May 1956 - 11 April 2021[1]) was a British archaeologist and prehistorian, specialising in public archaeology.[2]

Biography

Early life

Henson was born Gwyn Jones. His mother was Welsh and his father American. He was subsequently adopted by Syndey and Blanch Smith, renamed, and moved to Preston. After his adopted father's death and Blanche's remarriage, Don took his stepfather's surname.[2] Henson attributed an early love for archaeology to the tv show Animal, Vegetable, Mineral?.[2]

Education and working life

Henson went to school at Cefn Hengoed, Swansea. Henson studied for a BA in archaeology at University of Sheffield, specialising in prehistory. He described starting there in 1975 as the place where he learned that “being an archaeologist isn’t a profession; it’s a way of being, thinking and behaving”.[2] He studied for a MPhil, researching the sources of flint and chert in Britain. Henson worked as an outreach officer for Wakefield Museum from 1988 to 1994 and then as Head of Education at the Council for British Archaeology from 1994 to 2011.[3] Whilst at the CBA Henson was responsible for the Young Archaeologist's Club.[2] In 2016 he completed his PhD in Archaeology at York on "The public perceptions of the Mesolithic"; it had been supported by research grants from the European Research Council and the Arts and Humanities Research Council.[4]

He was subsequently appointed lecturer at the University of York.[2] Henson was also an Honorary Lecturer at University College London.[5] Henson served as the Chair of the World Archaeological Congress Public Education Committee.[6]

He was elected as a fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of London on 5 May 2004.[7] He was also a fellow of the Higher Education Academy. He was a trustee of the Yorkshire Dales Landscape Research Trust.[8]

Select publications

  • Henson, D. & Milner, N. 2018. 'Chapter 13: Engaging a wider audience', in Milner, N, Conneller, C and Taylor, B (eds.) Star Carr, Volume 1: a persistent place in a changing world, White Rose University Press: York. 331-338.
  • Henson, D. 2017. ‘Archaeology and education’, in G Moshenska (ed.) Key concepts in public archaeology, London: University College London Press. 43-59.
  • Henson, D. 2013. ‘Romanes eunt domus?’, in N Mills (ed.) Presenting the Romans: interpreting the frontiers of the Roman Empire World Heritage Site, Woodbridge: The Boydell Press. 139-146.
  • Henson, D. 2012. Doing Archaeology, A Subject Guide for Students, London: Routledge. ISBN 9780415602129
  • Henson, D., A. Bodley, & M. Heyworth. 2006. 'The educational value of archaeology', in J-C Marquet, C Pathy-Barker & C Cohen, Archaeology and Education: from primary school to university ( British Archaeological Reports International Series 1505). Archaeopress, Oxford.
  • Henson, D. 2000. “Archaeology in Higher Education”, The Archaeologist 37, 19-20.
  • Henson, D., Hall, M., & Judkins, P. 1993. “Community education: the evening class experience”, Journal of Education in Museums 14, 1-2.

References

  1. ^ @ArchSocYork (12 April 2021). "It is with great sadness that we let you know that our beloved Dr Don Henson passed away last night" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  2. ^ a b c d e f John Schofield (20 May 2021). "Don Henson obituary". The Guardian. Retrieved 20 May 2021.
  3. ^ "Don Henson - Public archaeology and education". University of York. Retrieved 12 April 2021.
  4. ^ Henson, Donald (December 2016). The Meso-what? The public perceptions of the Mesolithic (PDF) (Thesis). University of York.
  5. ^ "Author Biography". Routledge. Retrieved 15 April 2021.
  6. ^ "Standing Committees: Public Education". World Archaeological Congress. Retrieved 15 April 2021.
  7. ^ "Dr Donald Henson". Society of Antiquaries of London. Retrieved 12 April 2021.
  8. ^ "YORKSHIRE DALES LANDSCAPE RESEARCH TRUST LTD". Charities Commission. Retrieved 12 April 2021.
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