Maurice Beresford
Encyclopedia
Maurice Warwick Beresford (6 February 1920, Sutton Coldfield
– 15 December 2005, Leeds
) was an English economic historian and medieval archaeologist.
, Beresford was educated at Bishop Vesey's Grammar School
and Jesus College, Cambridge
. He became a lecturer at Leeds University in 1948, becoming Professor of Economic History in 1959. He was elected Fellow of the British Academy
in 1985.
. Thus began a lifelong interest in the subject. Together with John Hurst he conducted archaeological excavations at the deserted village of Wharram Percy
. This work became an important impetus for medieval archaeology
in Britain and Europe.
As an undergraduate, he wrote a paper on parkland in Sutton Coldfield, the beginning of his interest in the interaction between the physical landscape and documents such as maps. This interest led to his 1957 publication, History on the Ground.
Sutton Coldfield
Sutton Coldfield is a suburb of Birmingham, in the West Midlands of England. Sutton is located about from central Birmingham but has borders with Erdington and Kingstanding. Sutton is in the northeast of Birmingham, with a population of 105,000 recorded in the 2001 census...
– 15 December 2005, Leeds
Leeds
Leeds is a city and metropolitan borough in West Yorkshire, England. In 2001 Leeds' main urban subdivision had a population of 443,247, while the entire city has a population of 798,800 , making it the 30th-most populous city in the European Union.Leeds is the cultural, financial and commercial...
) was an English economic historian and medieval archaeologist.
Academic career
Born in Sutton ColdfieldSutton Coldfield
Sutton Coldfield is a suburb of Birmingham, in the West Midlands of England. Sutton is located about from central Birmingham but has borders with Erdington and Kingstanding. Sutton is in the northeast of Birmingham, with a population of 105,000 recorded in the 2001 census...
, Beresford was educated at Bishop Vesey's Grammar School
Bishop Vesey's Grammar School
Bishop Vesey's Grammar School is a selective state grammar school in Sutton Coldfield, Birmingham. Founded in 1527, it is one of the oldest schools in the United Kingdom. The school was a day and boarding school until the 1880s, and retained a small number of boarders in the mid-20th century...
and Jesus College, Cambridge
Jesus College, Cambridge
Jesus College is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge, England.The College was founded in 1496 on the site of a Benedictine nunnery by John Alcock, then Bishop of Ely...
. He became a lecturer at Leeds University in 1948, becoming Professor of Economic History in 1959. He was elected Fellow of the British Academy
British Academy
The British Academy is the United Kingdom's national body for the humanities and the social sciences. Its purpose is to inspire, recognise and support excellence in the humanities and social sciences, throughout the UK and internationally, and to champion their role and value.It receives an annual...
in 1985.
Research interests
In 1945, while working as a warden at an adult education centre, Beresford discovered the remains of the abandoned village of BittesbyBittesby
Bittesby is a deserted village and civil parish in Harborough district of Leicestershire, England. It is on the A5 road, about three miles from Lutterworth. According to the 2001 census the parish had a population of 6....
. Thus began a lifelong interest in the subject. Together with John Hurst he conducted archaeological excavations at the deserted village of Wharram Percy
Wharram Percy
Wharram Percy is a deserted medieval village site on the western edge of the chalk Wolds in North Yorkshire, England. The site is about one mile south of Wharram-le-Street and is clearly signposted from the B1248 Beverley to Malton road...
. This work became an important impetus for medieval archaeology
Medieval archaeology
Medieval archaeology is the study of humankind through its material culture, specialising in the period of the European Middle Ages. At its broadest, the period stretches from the 5th to the 16th century and refers to post-Roman but pre modern remains. The period covers the upheaval caused by the...
in Britain and Europe.
As an undergraduate, he wrote a paper on parkland in Sutton Coldfield, the beginning of his interest in the interaction between the physical landscape and documents such as maps. This interest led to his 1957 publication, History on the Ground.