Anna Keay
Anna Keay OBE (born 1974 or 1975,[2] in the West Highlands of Scotland)[1] is a British architectural historian, author, and television personality, and since 2012, Director of The Landmark Trust.
Anna Keay | |
---|---|
Born | 1974 or 1975 |
Nationality | British |
Education | Doctor of Philosophy[2] |
Alma mater | Oxford University[1][2] University of London[2] |
Occupation | Architectural historian, author, TV personality |
Years active | 1996–present |
Employer | The Landmark Trust, (Director 2012–present)[2][3] |
Spouse(s) | Simon Thurley (m. 2008–present)[1][4] |
Children | Two[1][2][4] |
Parents | |
Relatives | Humphrey Atkins (grandfather)[2] |
Website | AnnaKeay.co.uk |
Early life and education
Keay is the daughter of author John Keay[1] and granddaughter of Conservative politician and former Chief Whip, Humphrey Atkins.[2] Her mother Julia Keay[1] was also a writer.
She was educated at Oban High School in Argyll, and Bedales School. She then read History at Magdalen College in Oxford.[1][2]
She has a PhD from the University of London; her thesis was on court ceremonial in the reign of Charles II.[1][5]
Career
She worked for English Heritage 2002–2012, including seven years as Curator of the Tower of London;[2] and as its Director of Properties Presentation, was involved in the restoration of the Elizabethan Garden at Kenilworth Castle which featured in a 2009 BBC television series about English Heritage.[6]
Since 2012 she has served as Director of The Landmark Trust.[3][2]
In October 2014, Keay appeared on BBC Radio 4's The Museum of Curiosity: her hypothetical donation to this fictional museum was the St Edward's Crown, part of the British Crown Jewels.[7]
Private life
Keay married fellow historian Simon Thurley in 2008, and the couple have boy-girl twins.[2][4]
Awards and honours
- Keay was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2019 Birthday Honours for services to heritage.[8]
Selected publications
- The Earl of Essex: The Life and Death of a Tudor Traitor (2001, Historic Royal Palaces, ISBN 978-1873993156)
- The Magnificent Monarch: Charles II and the Ceremonies of Power (2008, Bloomsbury, ISBN 978-1847252258)[9]
- The Crown Jewels: The Official Illustrated History (2012, Thames & Hudson, ISBN 978-0500289822)
- The Elizabethan Garden at Kenilworth Castle (2013, English Heritage, ISBN 9781848020344)
References
- "Biography". Anna Keay. Retrieved 7 April 2017.
- Lister-Kaye, Hermione (13 June 2014). "Anna Keay on India, motherhood and the Duke of Monmouth". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 7 April 2017.
- "The Landmark Trust > Staff > Dr Anna Keay, Director". The Landmark Trust. Archived from the original on 17 October 2017. Retrieved 7 April 2017.
- "Simon Thurley – about me". Simon Thurley. Retrieved 7 April 2017.
- Golfar, Fiona. "Closet Harmony: Hard Working Clothes". www.vogue.co.uk. Retrieved 26 July 2018.
- Jardine, Cassandra (18 April 2009). "Heritage TV or a restoration comedy?". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 6 November 2014.
- "Gallery 7: Room 4". QI.com. The Museum of Curiosity, Quite Interesting Limited. Retrieved 8 April 2017.
- "No. 62666". The London Gazette (Supplement). 8 June 2019. p. B12.
- Massie, Allan (2 August 2008). "The kingly touch of Charles II". Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 6 November 2014. Review
External links
- AnnaKeay.co.uk — official website
- Clifton House — private home of Dr Anna Keay and Dr Simon Thurley, occasionally open to the public