Eric Birley

Eric Barff Birley (January 12, 1906 - October 20, 1995), was a British historian and archaeologist, particularly associated with the excavation of the forts of Hadrian's Wall.

Eric Birley was born at Eccles, Salford in Lancashire. He studied at Brasenose College, Oxford, under Michael Holroyd and R. G. Collingwood, the latter an amateur archaeologist. In 1931 he became a lecturer at the University of Durham, where he ended his academic career as Professor of Romano-British History and Archaeology, and the master of Hatfield College. In 1934 he married Peggy Goodlet, a former student of his. Their two sons, Robin and Anthony, would both become eminent in their field, and would continue their father's work at Vindolanda.

Becoming interested in the Wall, Birley succeeded in buying the house at Chesterholm that had belonged to Anthony Hedley, one of the first to take an interest in the Vindolanda site. During World War II, he worked in military intelligence, but as soon as the war was over, he resumed his researches into the history and archaeology of the Wall, becoming an expert on the Roman army. For his “practical experience of the ways in which modern armies work”, he was inspired in asking questions about organisation and methods of the Roman army. [Eric Birley: "Introduction". In: Eric Birley: "The Roman Army. Papes 1929–1986". Amsterdam 1988, p. vii.]

His house was eventually converted into a museum and research centre, in which the spectacular finds from Vindolanda are displayed and interpreted.

Birley family

Eric was the great-grandson of Hugh Hornby Birley, who led the troops at the Peterloo Massacre. [ [http://www.birley.org/jbirleyd/d15368.htm#P15368 Entry on Birley family genealogy] ]

References