News

Compiling a record of 50,000 lives

Scholars at the University have contributed 75 biographies to the new Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, a 60-volume publication charting more than 50,000 lives.

Researchers from six departments and centres at the University were among more than 12,500 contributors to the British Academy-funded project.

Professor Geoffrey Martin CBE, of the Department of History, a Research Associate on the project, contributed 50 biographies spanning every century from the 12th to the 20th.

Professor Martin, former Keeper of the Public Records, covered such diverse characters as Friar Tuck and RV Jones, the pioneer of scientific intelligence who in 1940 found and frustrated the German radio-navigation beams intended for use in precision bombing.

The author of The Story of Colchester from Roman Times to the Present Day (1959), Professor Martin also contributed biographies of local interest, including Philip Morant, the Rector at St Mary’s-at-the-Walls Parish Church; and the lawyer and politician Charles Gray, who lived in Hollytrees Mansion.

To celebrate publication of the new dictionary, a special lecture and party was organised by the Department of History and the Centre for Social and Cultural History.

The lecture, entitled 'Peopling the past: The Oxford Dictionary of National Biography’, featured presentations by Professor Martin and fellow Essex history professor Hugh Brogan, who contributed four biographies.

Dr Alex May, a research editor on the project, gave an overview of Essex people featured in the dictionary.

More than 100 contributors to the new dictionary are based in Essex and Suffolk;, and several of these attended the celebration on 9 February. Those attending also had an opportunity to explore the on-line version of the dictionary.

(Left to right) Dr Alex may, Professor Geoffrey Martin
and Professor Hugh Brogan

Lost war photos

Has anyone lost a collection of historic second world war photographs?

The Essex County Standard was given the collection - which includes pictures of Field Marshal Montgomery, Charles De Gaulle, and King George VI - by the Tesco store at the Hythe where they were found before Christmas.

Following an unsuccessful appeal in the Standard, the newspaper is hoping Wyvern readers can shed some light on who the photos might belong to.

If you think the photographs belong to you, write to Lesley Heuer, Essex County Standard, Oriel House, 43-44 North Hill, Colchester, CO1 1TZ. In order to prove the valuable collection is yours, you will need to identify what is stamped on the back of the photos and where they originate from.

Many of the photos feature Field Marshal Montgomery,
 here pictured with King George VI

Around Essex

Mosaic artist in residence at Writtle College

Writtle College recently appointed an artist in residence as part of an innovative arts project, the Landscape of Mosaic.

Anne Schwegmann-Fielding began her residency at the end of last year and will remain at the college until the summer. Anne is well known in Essex, particularly for her mosaic sculptures, and was previously artist in residence at Easton Lodge.

Landscape of Mosaic is an arts-science collaboration that will allow the artist and the College community to explore ways of turning the ordinary into the extraordinary.

Whilst at the College, Anne will work with students and staff on various projects, including two roundabouts for Chelmsford Borough Council, a bench in a garden in the campus grounds, and a light well in the College's Northumberland building using resin-bonded landscape materials.

Student newshounds at South East Essex College

Students studying on the BA in Journalism course at South East Essex College have been given the chance to take part a work placement programme in the College's Press and Communications Office.

One of the five students helping the office sniff out news stories is Mike Cawston. He said: 'The opportunity to work in the Press Office has enabled me to gain invaluable insight into the working world. It has also shown us the range of skills utilised across the Marketing Department, and that with a Journalism degree, we have the option of moving into a variety of different fields - from copy writing to publications.'

Being a vocational College, it is important to give students a chance to work within a professional environment. Head of Marketing, Michael Upton, said: 'Having students in our team gives us an added edge and energy as they have their fingers firmly on the pulse of student life.'

 College students Mike Cawston (left) and Martyn Dolton
on the hunt for news stories

Also in the printed February edition of Wyvern:

• Rare books go on display
• Pupils in strong voice
• Project management at Southend