Following the news of her death aged 93, we are remembering with fondness and pride the contribution that Professor Dame Rosemary Cramp made to the field of Archaeology and to Durham University.
Rosemary came to Durham University in 1955 from St Anne’s College, Oxford, and was instrumental in the founding of the Department of Archaeology the following year with Eric Birley.
She became the first woman to be promoted to Professor at Durham University in 1971, providing inspiration to many both within and beyond Archaeology.
She was twice recognised in the Royal Honours Lists for her services to scholarship, being appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 1987 and then Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) in 2011.
An internationally renowned archaeologist specialising in the archaeology and art of the early medieval world, Rosemary’s contributions to archaeology and heritage were far-reaching.
Most notably her work included the excavations of the twin monastery of Monkwearmouth-Jarrow, home to the Venerable Bede. She also founded the long-running Corpus of Anglo-Saxon Stone Sculpture research project. She was also an inspiration to many as the first woman to be promoted to Professor at Durham University in 1971.
Throughout her academic career Rosemary was collegial and public-spirited, always finding time for colleagues and students as well as devoting much time to service as a member of the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland, the British Museum, Historic Buildings and Monuments Commission England (latterly Historic England), the Archaeological Data Service and the Council for British Archaeology.
She served as President of the Society of Antiquaries of London from 2001-2004 and was elected a Fellow of the British Academy in 2006.
In 2008 she was awarded the Gold Medal from the Society of Antiquaries of London for distinguished services to archaeology. Her outstanding contribution and leadership in the discipline was also recognised by honorary degrees from the Universities of Bradford (2002), Cork (2003), Leicester (2004) and Cambridge (2019).
Rosemary served as Head of Department in Archaeology at Durham University for 19 years, from 1971-1990, and was instrumental in driving the growth and success of the department, not least in putting in place the foundations for its outstanding international research reputation, particularly in archaeological science.
She remained a key and active member of the department as an Emeritus Professor, continuing to publish and lead the completion of the Corpus of Anglo-Saxon Stone Sculpture in her last years.
Rosemary will be deeply missed by colleagues and friends.
Read more about the Corpus of Anglo-Saxon Stone Sculpture research project.
Explore our Department of Archaeology.
We are remembering with fondness and pride the contribution that Professor Dame Rosemary Cramp made to the field of Archaeology and to Durham University.
Rosemary came to Durham University in 1955 and was instrumental in the founding of the Department of Archaeology the following year with Eric Birley.
Rosemary was twice recognised in the Royal Honours Lists for her services to scholarship, here becoming a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) in 2011.
A lecture theatre in our Calman Learning Centre was named in Rosemary’s honour and she remained a key and active member of Archaeology as an Emeritus Professor.
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