Dame Rosemary Jean Cramp, (born 6 May 1929) is a British archaeologist and academic specialising in the
Anglo-Saxons
The Anglo-Saxons were a Cultural identity, cultural group who inhabited England in the Early Middle Ages. They traced their origins to settlers who came to Britain from mainland Europe in the 5th century. However, the ethnogenesis of the Anglo- ...
. She was the first female
professor
Professor (commonly abbreviated as Prof.) is an Academy, academic rank at university, universities and other post-secondary education and research institutions in most countries. Literally, ''professor'' derives from Latin as a "person who pr ...
appointed at
Durham University
, mottoeng = Her foundations are upon the holy hills (Psalm 87:1)
, established = (university status)
, type = Public
, academic_staff = 1,830 (2020)
, administrative_staff = 2,640 (2018/19)
, chancellor = Sir Thomas Allen
, vice_chan ...
and was Professor of Archaeology from 1971 to 1990. She served as president of the
Society of Antiquaries of London
A society is a group of individuals involved in persistent social interaction, or a large social group sharing the same spatial or social territory, typically subject to the same political authority and dominant cultural expectations. Societ ...
from 2001 to 2004.
Early life and education
Cramp was born on 6 May 1929 in
Cranoe
Cranoe is a small village and civil parish in the Harborough district of Leicestershire, England. The parish had a population of 35 in 2001. The population remained less than 100 and was included in the civil parish of Glooston.
The village
Th ...
,
Leicestershire
Leicestershire ( ; postal abbreviation Leics.) is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan county in the East Midlands, England. The county borders Nottinghamshire to the north, Lincolnshire to the north-east, Rutland to the east, Northamptonshire t ...
, England.
She grew up on her father's farm in Leicestershire
and was educated at
Market Harborough Grammar, a
grammar school
A grammar school is one of several different types of school in the history of education in the United Kingdom and other English-speaking countries, originally a school teaching Latin, but more recently an academically oriented secondary school ...
in
Market Harborough, Leicestershire.
At age 12, she found evidence of a Roman villa on her family land at
Glooston
Glooston is a small village and civil parish in the Harborough district of Leicestershire, England. According to the 2001 census the parish had a population of 54, increasing to 147 (including Cranoe and Stonton Wyville) at the 2011 census.
T ...
.
Cramp went on to study English language and literature at
St Anne's College, Oxford
St Anne's College is a constituent college of the University of Oxford in England. It was founded in 1879 and gained full college status in 1959. Originally a women's college, it has admitted men since 1979. It has some 450 undergraduate and 200 ...
.
She graduated with a
Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of arts (BA or AB; from the Latin ', ', or ') is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate program in the arts, or, in some cases, other disciplines. A Bachelor of Arts degree course is generally completed in three or four years ...
(BA) degree; as per tradition, her BA was later promoted to
Master of Arts
A Master of Arts ( la, Magister Artium or ''Artium Magister''; abbreviated MA, M.A., AM, or A.M.) is the holder of a master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The degree is usually contrasted with that of Master of Science. Tho ...
(MA Oxon).
She remained at St Anne's to complete a
postgraduate
Postgraduate or graduate education refers to academic or professional degrees, certificates, diplomas, or other qualifications pursued by post-secondary students who have earned an undergraduate ( bachelor's) degree.
The organization and stru ...
Bachelor of Letters (BLitt) degree in 1950; her
thesis
A thesis ( : theses), or dissertation (abbreviated diss.), is a document submitted in support of candidature for an academic degree or professional qualification presenting the author's research and findings.International Standard ISO 7144: ...
concerned the relevance of archaeological evidence in relation to
Old English poetry
Old English literature refers to poetry and prose written in Old English in early medieval England, from the 7th century to the decades after the Norman Conquest of 1066, a period often termed Anglo-Saxon England. The 7th-century work ''Cædmon ...
.
Academic career
Cramp began her academic career at her
alma mater, the
University of Oxford
, mottoeng = The Lord is my light
, established =
, endowment = £6.1 billion (including colleges) (2019)
, budget = £2.145 billion (2019–20)
, chancellor ...
,
where she was a
fellow
A fellow is a concept whose exact meaning depends on context.
In learned or professional societies, it refers to a privileged member who is specially elected in recognition of their work and achievements.
Within the context of higher education ...
and tutor of English at St Anne's College from 1950 to 1955.
In 1955, she moved to
Durham University
, mottoeng = Her foundations are upon the holy hills (Psalm 87:1)
, established = (university status)
, type = Public
, academic_staff = 1,830 (2020)
, administrative_staff = 2,640 (2018/19)
, chancellor = Sir Thomas Allen
, vice_chan ...
as a lecturer in archaeology.
The Department of Archaeology was formally created the following year, and specialised in Roman and Anglo-Saxon archaeology.
She was promoted to
senior lecturer in 1966.
She became the first female
professor
Professor (commonly abbreviated as Prof.) is an Academy, academic rank at university, universities and other post-secondary education and research institutions in most countries. Literally, ''professor'' derives from Latin as a "person who pr ...
at Durham when she was appointed Professor of Archaeology in 1971.
She retired in 1990 and was appointed
professor emerita
''Emeritus'' (; female: ''emerita'') is an adjective used to designate a retired chair, professor, pastor, bishop, pope, director, president, prime minister, rabbi, emperor, or other person who has been "permitted to retain as an honorary title ...
.
On her retirement, The Rosemary Cramp Fund was established by Durham's Department of Archaeology to recognise individuals and groups who make a significant contribution to the archaeology and heritage of Britain and Ireland.
In 1992, she was a
visiting fellow at
All Souls College, Oxford
All Souls College (official name: College of the Souls of All the Faithful Departed) is a constituent college of the University of Oxford in England. Unique to All Souls, all of its members automatically become fellows (i.e., full members of t ...
.
Outside of her university work, she has held a number of voluntary positions. From 1975 to 1999, she served as a member of the
.
She was a
trustee
Trustee (or the holding of a trusteeship) is a legal term which, in its broadest sense, is a synonym for anyone in a position of trust and so can refer to any individual who holds property, authority, or a position of trust or responsibility to t ...
of the
British Museum
The British Museum is a public museum dedicated to human history, art and culture located in the Bloomsbury area of London. Its permanent collection of eight million works is among the largest and most comprehensive in existence. It docum ...
between 1978 and 1998.
From 1984 to 1989, she was a member of the
Historic Buildings and Monuments Commission for England
Historic England (officially the Historic Buildings and Monuments Commission for England) is an executive non-departmental public body of the British Government sponsored by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport. It is tasked wi ...
(now known as Historic England).
She served as Chairwoman of the
Archaeology Data Service from 1996 to 2001.
Cramp has held a number of senior appointments within academic organisations. She was President of the
Council for British Archaeology
The Council for British Archaeology (CBA) is an educational charity established in 1944 in the UK. It works to involve people in archaeology and to promote the appreciation and care of the historic environment for the benefit of present and futu ...
from 1989 to 1992, and has been an Honorary Vice-President since 1992.
She was President of the Society for Church Archaeology from 1996 to 2000.
From 1992 to 1997, she was Vice-President of the
Royal Archaeological Institute
The Royal Archaeological Institute (RAI) is a learned society, established in 1844, with interests in all aspects of the archaeological, architectural and landscape history of the British Isles. Membership is open to all with an interest in these ...
.
She was president of the
Society of Antiquaries of London
A society is a group of individuals involved in persistent social interaction, or a large social group sharing the same spatial or social territory, typically subject to the same political authority and dominant cultural expectations. Societ ...
from 2001 to 2004.
Cramp was a panellist in a 1958 episode of the gameshow ''
Animal, Vegetable, Mineral?'' held at the
Museum of Gloucester, and was an expert guest on a 2007 episode of
In Our Time In Our Time may refer to:
* ''In Our Time'' (1944 film), a film starring Ida Lupino and Paul Henreid
* ''In Our Time'' (1982 film), a Taiwanese anthology film featuring director Edward Yang; considered the beginning of the "New Taiwan Cinema"
* ''In ...
on the life of St. Hilda.
Excavations at Monkwearmouth–Jarrow
From 1963 to 1978, Cramp excavated at
Monkwearmouth–Jarrow Abbey, Northumbria, leading the team which discovered remains of the seventh and eighth-century buildings. A final excavation occurred in 1984.
At the same time, Cramp was helping to develop and launch the Corpus of Anglo-Saxon Stone Sculpture, published by Durham University.
Prior to the excavations, little was known of the physical buildings beyond
Bede
Bede ( ; ang, Bǣda , ; 672/326 May 735), also known as Saint Bede, The Venerable Bede, and Bede the Venerable ( la, Beda Venerabilis), was an English monk at the monastery of St Peter and its companion monastery of St Paul in the Kingdom o ...
's written references.
During excavations, some of the
earliest stained glass in Britain were discovered; the glass also comprises the largest collection of seventh and eighth-century stained glass in Western Europe. Reflecting on the excavation, Cramp described the moment, saying that the shards of glass "looked like jewels lying on the ground."
Cramp's excavations also revealed the later communities on the site, dating from the 11th to the 16th century.
The excavation reports were published in 2005 and 2006 through English Heritage. In 2012, a bid to secure the site
World Heritage
A World Heritage Site is a landmark or area with legal protection by an international convention administered by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). World Heritage Sites are designated by UNESCO for h ...
status was launched, but the application was later suspended. The bid described the importance of the site, noting "its direct association with Bede, Biscop and Bede's teacher Ceolfrith makes it one of the most influential monastic sites in Europe."
Honours
On 8 January 1959, Cramp was elected
Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of London (FSA). In 2006, she was elected
Fellow of the British Academy
Fellowship of the British Academy (FBA) is an award granted by the British Academy to leading academics for their distinction in the humanities and social sciences. The categories are:
# Fellows – scholars resident in the United Kingdom
# C ...
(FBA).
In 2008, she was awarded the Gold Medal of the Society of Antiquaries of London; it is awarded "for distinguished services to archaeology".
In 1987, Cramp was appointed a
Commander of the Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is a British order of chivalry, rewarding contributions to the arts and sciences, work with charitable and welfare organisations,
and public service outside the civil service. It was established o ...
(CBE).
In the
2011 Queen's Birthday Honours, she was promoted to
Dame Commander
Commander ( it, Commendatore; french: Commandeur; german: Komtur; es, Comendador; pt, Comendador), or Knight Commander, is a title of honor prevalent in chivalric orders and fraternal orders.
The title of Commander occurred in the medieval mil ...
of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) 'for services to scholarship'.
She has been awarded a number of
honorary degrees. She was awarded Honorary
Doctor of Science
Doctor of Science ( la, links=no, Scientiae Doctor), usually abbreviated Sc.D., D.Sc., S.D., or D.S., is an academic research degree awarded in a number of countries throughout the world. In some countries, "Doctor of Science" is the degree used f ...
degrees by Durham University in 1995,
by the
University of Bradford
The University of Bradford is a Public university, public research university located in the city of Bradford, West Yorkshire, England. A plate glass university, it received its royal charter in 1966, making it the 40th university to be creat ...
in July 2002,
and the
University of Cambridge
, mottoeng = Literal: From here, light and sacred draughts.
Non literal: From this place, we gain enlightenment and precious knowledge.
, established =
, other_name = The Chancellor, Masters and Schola ...
in 2019. She was awarded Honorary
Doctor of Letters degrees by
University College Cork
University College Cork – National University of Ireland, Cork (UCC) ( ga, Coláiste na hOllscoile Corcaigh) is a constituent university of the National University of Ireland, and located in Cork.
The university was founded in 1845 as one of ...
in June 2003 and the
University of Leicester
, mottoeng = So that they may have life
, established =
, type = public research university
, endowment = £20.0 million
, budget = £326 million
, chancellor = David Willetts
, vice_chancellor = Nishan Canagarajah
, head_labe ...
in 2004.
A ''
Festschrift
In academia, a ''Festschrift'' (; plural, ''Festschriften'' ) is a book honoring a respected person, especially an academic, and presented during their lifetime. It generally takes the form of an edited volume, containing contributions from the h ...
'' was published in Cramp's honour in 2001. It was titled ''Image and Power in the Archaeology of Early Medieval Britain: Essays in Honour of Rosemary Cramp'', and was edited by
Helena Hamerow and
Arthur MacGregor
Arthur MacGregor is a British academic and author, "who largely invented the idea of the history of museums".
MacGregor has spent most of his career at the Ashmolean Museum, before his appointment as director of the Society of Antiquaries.
He h ...
. Contributors included
Nancy Edwards
Nancy Margaret Edwards, (born 8 January 1954) is a British archaeologist and academic, who specialises in medieval archaeology and ecclesiastical history. Since 2008, she has been Professor of Medieval Archaeology at Bangor University.
Early l ...
and
Martin Carver
Martin Oswald Hugh Carver, FSA, Hon FSA Scot, (born 8 July 1941) is Emeritus Professor of Archaeology at the University of York, England, director of the Sutton Hoo Research Project and a leading exponent of new methods in excavation and surve ...
. A second honorary volume was published in 2008; edited by Catherine Karkov and Helen Damico, ''Æedificia nova: Studies in Honour of Rosemary Cramp'' focused on the art, archaeology and literature of Anglo-Saxon England, and included an article by Cramp.
Selected works
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
References
External links
Rosemary Cramp at the Archaeology Data ServiceRosemary Cramp at WorldCat Identities
{{DEFAULTSORT:Cramp, Rosemary
1929 births
British archaeologists
Academics of Durham University
Fellows of St Anne's College, Oxford
People from Harborough District
Alumni of St Anne's College, Oxford
Fellows of the British Academy
Fellows of the Society of Antiquaries of London
Presidents of the Society of Antiquaries of London
Dames Commander of the Order of the British Empire
Living people
British women archaeologists
Cumberland and Westmorland Antiquarian and Archaeological Society
Corresponding Fellows of the Medieval Academy of America
British women historians