Andrew Saunders
Encyclopedia
Andrew Saunders was an internationally recognised expert in artillery
fortifications and Chief Inspector of Ancient Monuments and Historic Buildings in the UK between 1973 and 1989.
, Cornwall on the 22 September 1931. His education was initially carried out at Magdalen College School, Oxford which was followed by his National Service in the RAF. On returning to civilian life Saunders enrolled at Magdalen College
to read History. During his time at university Saunders was president of the Archaeology Society and enjoyed rugby and rowing for his college.
and the Western Heights at Dover
. The survey started what became a lifelong specialisation of Saunders' work in the study of artillery fortification.
In 1964 Saunders was promoted to Inspector of Ancient Monuments for England becoming responsible for the care of over four hundred monuments throughout England. In 1973 Saunders was promoted again to Chief Inspector of Ancient Monuments and Historic Buildings, a position he held until his retirement in 1989.
retirement in 1989. His roles included president of the Cornwall Archaeological Society (1968–1972), founder member and later chairman of the Fortress Study Group
(1995–2001), and founder and editor of the quarterly publication, 'Fortress'. Saunders was also a long serving council member of the Royal Archaeological Institute
and president between 1993 and 1996 and chairman of the advisory panel for the Defence of Britain Project. The international reputation Saunders held lead to him being appointed chairman of the International Fortress Council between 1995 and 1998.
Artillery
Originally applied to any group of infantry primarily armed with projectile weapons, artillery has over time become limited in meaning to refer only to those engines of war that operate by projection of munitions far beyond the range of effect of personal weapons...
fortifications and Chief Inspector of Ancient Monuments and Historic Buildings in the UK between 1973 and 1989.
Early life
Andrew Saunders was born at St AustellSt Austell
St Austell is a civil parish and a major town in Cornwall, England, United Kingdom. It is situated on the south coast approximately ten miles south of Bodmin and 30 miles west of the border with Devon at Saltash...
, Cornwall on the 22 September 1931. His education was initially carried out at Magdalen College School, Oxford which was followed by his National Service in the RAF. On returning to civilian life Saunders enrolled at Magdalen College
Magdalen College, Oxford
Magdalen College is one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in England. As of 2006 the college had an estimated financial endowment of £153 million. Magdalen is currently top of the Norrington Table after over half of its 2010 finalists received first-class degrees, a record...
to read History. During his time at university Saunders was president of the Archaeology Society and enjoyed rugby and rowing for his college.
Professional career
Saunders joined the Ancient Monuments Inspectorate in 1954 where his work revolved around the conservation and guardianship of castles and monastic buildings. He also took part in archaeological excavations such as that at Castle Gotha near St Austell. As part of his work, in 1956 he carried out a rapid assessment of the mainly 19th century fortifications vacated that year by the army with the abolition of Coastal Artillery. The report Saunders submitted lead to the decision to take into care certain important examples of military architecture such as Fort BrockhurstFort Brockhurst
Fort Brockhurst is one of the Palmerston Forts, in Gosport, England. It is now an English Heritage property.Fort Brockhurst was designed by William Crossman in the 19th century to protect Portsmouth...
and the Western Heights at Dover
Dover Western Heights
The Western Heights of Dover are one of the most impressive fortifications in Britain. They comprise a series of forts, strong points and ditches, designed to protect the country from invasion...
. The survey started what became a lifelong specialisation of Saunders' work in the study of artillery fortification.
In 1964 Saunders was promoted to Inspector of Ancient Monuments for England becoming responsible for the care of over four hundred monuments throughout England. In 1973 Saunders was promoted again to Chief Inspector of Ancient Monuments and Historic Buildings, a position he held until his retirement in 1989.
Later life
Saunders was an active member of a number of historical and archaeological groups both during his working life and after hisretirement in 1989. His roles included president of the Cornwall Archaeological Society (1968–1972), founder member and later chairman of the Fortress Study Group
Fortress Study Group
The Fortress Study Group is an international organisation based in the UK, which aims to further the understanding of military fortifications, particularly those designed after the introduction of gunpowder artillery.-History:...
(1995–2001), and founder and editor of the quarterly publication, 'Fortress'. Saunders was also a long serving council member of the Royal Archaeological Institute
Royal Archaeological Institute
The Royal Archaeological Institute of Great Britain and Ireland is a learned society, established in 1844, primarily devoted to the publication of the Archaeological Journal, a production of archaeological news that has been in print since 1844....
and president between 1993 and 1996 and chairman of the advisory panel for the Defence of Britain Project. The international reputation Saunders held lead to him being appointed chairman of the International Fortress Council between 1995 and 1998.
Publications
- "Fortress Britain", Beaufort, 1989, ISBN 1855120003
- "Book of Channel Defences", English Heritage, London, 1997, ISBN 0713475951
- "Fortress Builder: Bernard de Gomme: Charles II's Military Engineer", University of Exeter Press, 2004, ISBN 0859897516