Leslie Peter Wenham
Leslie Peter Wenham MA, M.Litt, M.Ed,[1] FSA (1911 - 29 January 1990) was a British archaeologist, historian, and professor who excavated in York, on Hadrian's Wall and Malton. He was the first to produce a comprehensive report of a Romano-British Cemetery.[2] He is known for his extensive publications in archaeology. He was elected a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of London in 1970. Wenham had also served with the Royal Army Ordnance Corps during the Second World War.
Leslie Peter Wenham FSA | |
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L.P. Wenham with a model of Roman York | |
Born | 1911 Richmond, North Yorkshire, England |
Died | Richmond, North Yorkshire, England | 29 January 1990 (aged 78)
Nationality | English |
Citizenship | United Kingdom |
Alma mater | University of Durham |
Known for | Excavation in York and extensive publication in archaeology |
Scientific career | |
Fields | History Archaeology |
Institutions | University of York |
Academic advisors | Eric Birley |
Education and work
Wenham graduated from Durham University in 1933 with an honours degree in modern history.[2] He spent some time excavating under Eric Birley in the civilian settlement at Housesteads Roman Fort on Hadrian's Wall.[1] During the Second World War he served with the Royal Army Ordnance Corps. In 1951, he was appointed lecturer in history at St. John's College, York.[2] He would later become head of the History department and remained part of the College until his retirement in 1974.
Wenham was a prolific excavator in and around York, frequently publishing his excavations with the Yorkshire Archaeological Society. He had a particular interest in the defences of the Fortress at Eboracum (modern day York).[3][4] He excavated throughout the city during the 1950s, 60s and 70s, at locations including King's Square,[5] Davygate, Petergate[6] and St Mary Bishophill Junior, York. His excavations at Trentholme Drive (York) resulted in the first comprehensive report of a Romano-British Cemetery; it had been excavated as part of an archaeological investigation rather than during building work.[2][7][8] Wenham was the editor of the Yorkshire Archaeological Journal between 1955-1968.[9]
He was elected a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of London on 8 January 1970.[1][2]
Publications
- Wenham, L. P. 1954. 'Blossom Street Excavations 1953'. Yorkshire Arhchitectural and York Archaeological Society Proceedings Vol. 11. pp: 523-4
- Wenham, L. P. 1958. The History of Richmond School, Yorkshire. Herald Press
- Wenham, L. P. 1960. 'Seven archaeological discoveries in Yorkshire'. Yorkshire Archaeological Journal Vol. 40. pp: 298-328
- Wenham, L. P. 1961. 'Excavations and discoveries adjoining the south-west wall of the Roman legionary fortress in Feasegate, York, 1955-7'. Yorkshire Archaeological Journal Vol. 40. pp:329-50
- Wenham, L. P. 1962 'Excavations and discoveries within the Legionary Fortress in Davygate, York, 1955-8'.Yorkshire Archaeological Journal Vol. 40. pp:507-87
- Wenham, L. P. 1965 'The South-West defences of the Fortress of Eboracum' in Jarrett, M. G. and Dobson, B. (eds.) Britain and Rome. pp: 1-26
- Wenham, L. P. 1967 'Two Excavations: No.2 Ryethorpe Grange and Appletree Farm, York, 1959'. Transactions of the Yorkshire Philosophical Society pp: 45-60
- Wenham, L. P. 1968 'Discoveries in King's Square, York, 1963'. Yorkshire Archaeological Journal Vol. 42. pp: 165-8
- Wenham. L. P. 1968. 'Fourteen Roman Finds from York'. Yorkshire Philosophical Society Annual Report 1968. pp: 38-48
- Wenham, L.P., Warwick, R., Cooke, C., Rowbotham, T. C. 1968. The Romano-British Cemetery at Trentholme Drive, York. Ministry of Public Buildings and Works Archaeological Report no. 5. London: HSMO
- Wenham, L. P. 1972. 'Excavations in Low Petergate, York, 1957-8'. Yorkshire Archaeological Journal Vol. 44. pp: 65-113
- Wenham, L. P., Hall, R. A., Bride, C. M., and Stocker, D. A. 1987. St Mary Bishophill Junior and St Mary Castlegate (Archaeology of York 8/2). York: Council for British Archaeology
- Wenham, L. P. and Heywood, B. 1997. The 1968 to 1970 Excavations in the vicus at Malton, North Yorkshire (Yorkshire Archaeological Reports no.3). Leeds: Yorkshire Archaeological Society
See also
- Eboracum
- Derventio (Malton)
- York City Walls
- Yorkshire Archaeological Society
References
- "Obituary - Leslie Peter Wenham", The Antiquaries Journal 70, 528
- Heywood, B. (1990). "Leslie Peter Wenham (1911-90)". York Archaeological Journal. 62: 201–2. Archived from the original on 2015-02-04. Retrieved 2014-09-05.
- Wenham, L. P. 1961. 'Excavations and discoveries adjoining the south-west wall of the Roman legionary fortress in Feasegate, York, 1955-7'. Yorkshire Archaeological Journal Vol. 40. pp:329-50
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- Wenham, L. P. 1965 'The South-West defences of the Fortress of Eboracum' in Jarrett, M. G. and Dobson, B. (eds.) Britain and Rome. pp1-26
- Wenham, L. P. 1968 'Discoveries in King's Square, York, 1963'. Yorkshire Archaeological Journal Vol. 42. pp:165-8
- Wenham, L. P. 1972. 'Excavations in Low Petergate, York, 1957-8'. Yorkshire Archaeological Journal Vol. 44. pp:65-113
- Wenham, L.P., Warwick, R., Cooke, C., Rowbotham, T. C. 1968. The Romano-British Cemetery at Trentholme Drive, York
- Ottaway, P. 2004. Roman York Stroud: Tempus. pp: 18
- Heywood, B. (1990). "Leslie Peter Wenham (1911-90)" (PDF). YAYAS Times (Newsletter of the Yorkshire Architectural and York Archaeological Society). 23: 13–15. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2015-02-04.