Aileen Fox facts for kids

Aileen Mary Fox, also known as Lady Fox, was a famous English archaeologist. She was born Aileen Henderson on July 29, 1907, and passed away on November 21, 2005. Aileen Fox was an expert in finding and studying old things in the south-west of England. She is well-known for digging up a big Roman army camp in Exeter, Devon, after World War II.

About Aileen Fox

Aileen Henderson grew up as the daughter of a lawyer. She went to school at Chinthurst School and Downe House School. Later, she studied English at Newnham College, Cambridge.

Starting Her Archaeology Career

After finishing college in 1929, Aileen started working as a volunteer. She helped dig up old sites at Richborough, Kent. She also spent time studying at the British School at Rome. In 1932, she helped dig at Hembury hillfort in Devon. She also worked at Meon Hill in Hampshire.

Family and Discoveries

In 1933, Aileen married Cyril Fox, who was the director of the National Museum of Wales. They had three sons together. Aileen and Cyril worked on many old sites across the UK. Aileen also led her own digs. For example, in 1939, she excavated a Roman army camp at Isca Augusta in Wales.

From 1940 to 1945, Aileen taught at University College, Cardiff. After World War II, she did important digs in Roman Exeter. She found many things that had been damaged during the war. In 1947, she became a teacher at the University College of the South West of England in Exeter. She taught there until she retired in 1971.

Exploring South-West England

From the late 1940s, Aileen led many important digs in south-west England. Her work helped us learn more about early people living on Dartmoor. She also studied Iron Age hillforts and the Roman army in Cornwall.

In 1965, Aileen helped start the Hillforts Study Group. This group studied ancient forts built on hills. She also helped create the Exeter Archaeological Field Unit in the late 1960s. Aileen was the president of the Devon Archaeological Society from 1963 to 1964. She also served as a vice-president for the Council for British Archaeology. Aileen believed it was important to get young people interested in archaeology.

She wrote a book called Roman Britain with artist Alan Sorrell. Aileen met Alan at the British School at Rome. When her husband was given a special honor in 1935, she became known as Lady Fox.

Work in New Zealand

In 1973, Aileen became a visiting teacher at the University of Auckland in New Zealand. From 1974 to 1976, she worked as an archaeologist at the Auckland Museum. During her ten years in New Zealand, she taught, researched, and published many works. She also worked with groups like the New Zealand Archaeological Association.

Her interest in hill forts led her to record sites in Auckland and other areas. She also dug up a pā site (a Māori fortified village) at Te Awanga in 1974–1975. She also studied Māori carvings and burial chests.

Awards and Recognition

Aileen Fox received several honors for her important work.

• In 1944, she became a member of the Society of Antiquaries of London.
• In 1985, she received an honorary doctorate from the University of Exeter. This is a special degree given to honor someone's achievements.
• In 1998, she became an honorary member of the Prehistoric Society.