W. F. Grimes facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
W. F. Grimes
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| Born | 31 October 1905 |
| Died | 25 December 1988 (aged 83) |
| Nationality | British |
| Education | Bedford Modern School |
| Alma mater | University College of South Wales and Monmouthshire |
William Francis Grimes (known as Peter) was a famous Welsh archaeologist. He was born on October 31, 1905, and passed away on December 25, 1988. He spent his career studying old sites in London and the very early history of Wales. He was given a special award called a CBE in 1955 for his important work.
Contents
Early Life and Education
William Francis Grimes was born in Pembroke, a town in Wales. His father worked as a draughtsman, drawing plans for ships at the Pembroke docks. Young Grimes first went to school in Pembroke.
Later, his family moved to Bedford because his father got a job drawing plans for airships. Grimes then attended Bedford Modern School.
University Studies
In 1923, Grimes returned to Wales. He went to the University College of South Wales and Monmouthshire in Cardiff. There, he studied Latin.
Two of his teachers were very important archaeologists: Mortimer Wheeler and Cyril Fox. Wheeler was also in charge of the National Museum of Wales. Grimes finished his studies in 1926 with excellent grades.
Archaeological Career
After Grimes graduated, Mortimer Wheeler moved to become the director of the London Museum. Cyril Fox took his place as director of the National Museum of Wales. Grimes then became an assistant archaeology keeper at the National Museum of Wales. He worked with another archaeologist named Victor Erle Nash-Williams.
In 1930, Grimes earned his master's degree. His research was about old Roman pottery found at a place called Holt. He became very interested in the early history of Wales. He helped dig at several sites, including Pyle and Llanboidy.
Important Discoveries and Books
In 1934, Grimes became a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of London. This is a group for people who study old things. In 1939, he wrote a book called Guide to the Collection Illustrating the Prehistory of Wales. This book was very important and won an award. It was later republished as The Prehistory of Wales.
In 1935, he met another archaeologist, Audrey Williams. They worked together on many digs in Wales and other places. They later got married.
Working for the Government
In 1938, Grimes moved to Southampton. He started working for the Ordnance Survey, which makes maps. The next year, he helped dig up a newly found ship burial site at Sutton Hoo.
During the Second World War, Grimes worked for the Ministry of Works. He and Audrey Williams quickly surveyed and dug up sites. This was done before new airfields and military buildings were constructed. One of his finds was an Iron Age religious site near Heathrow.
Director of the London Museum
In 1945, Grimes took over from Mortimer Wheeler again. He became the director of the London Museum. The museum was located in Lancaster House at that time.
He led a project to dig up sites in London that had been bombed during the Blitz. This was done before new buildings were put up. For this work, he was honored by the City of London in 1952.
The London Mithraeum
A very exciting discovery happened in 1954. Grimes and Audrey Williams dug up the London Mithraeum. This was an ancient Roman temple found at a building site in Walbrook. The discovery was so important that it was featured in a famous newspaper, the Illustrated London News.
On the very last day they were supposed to dig, they found a statue of Mithras. This created a huge buzz! People, the news, and even the government talked about it. The dig was extended, and more amazing things were found. Even though a new building was built over the site, Grimes saved many of the finds. The temple was rebuilt nearby later, but Grimes felt it wasn't done well.
Later Career and Awards
Grimes was made a CBE in 1955. He kept digging in London even after he became the director of the Institute of Archaeology in 1956. He also became a professor at the University of London. While he was director, the Institute moved to new buildings.
He always stayed interested in the archaeology of Wales. In 1961, he received an honorary degree from the University of Wales. He was also the president of the Cambrian Archaeological Association for a time. He served on many important groups and committees related to archaeology. He was a member of the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales for 30 years. He also joined the Royal Commission on the Historical Monuments of England. He retired from these groups in 1978. From 1975 to 1988, he was the first chairman of the Dyfed Archaeological Trust.
Personal Life
Grimes married Barbara Lilian Morgan in 1928. They had two children. Later, he married Audrey Williams, whom he had worked with for many years. She gave him the nickname "Peter."
They retired to her home in Swansea in 1973. After Audrey passed away in 1978, he married Mrs Molly Waverley Sholto Douglas in 1980.
In his later years, he suffered from Parkinson's disease. He passed away at his home in Swansea. His ashes were scattered at Pwlldu Bay in Wales, a place where his second wife Audrey's ashes had also been scattered.
Published Works
Here are some of the books William Francis Grimes wrote:
- The Megalithic Monuments of Wales, 1936. This book is about very large stone structures in Wales.
- The Prehistory of Wales, 1951. This book covers the early history of Wales.
- The Excavation of Roman and Mediaeval London, 1968. This book is about his digs in London from Roman times to the Middle Ages.
See also
- Nautical Archaeology Society
