Church Monuments Society

Whilst Frederick Burgess’ 1963 book, English Churchyard Memorials, remains a cornerstone of memorial studies not just in England but across Europe, North America and beyond, its author has been all but forgotten except by those who knew him in his lifetime (1911-66). In a quest to rediscover the man behind the book, Dr Elizabeth Blood has embarked on almost two decades of research to find out about his life and work, uncovering important collections of archival materials in private hands as well as public repositories. A look at the surviving notebooks, artworks, photographs and publications provides unique insight into the pioneering work he carried out. 2026 marks the sixtieth anniversary of Burgess’ premature death aged 55 and this lecture aims to commemorate his achievements. Focusing in this lecture on the work culminating in his book (based on work he began in earnest in the 1930s), Elizabeth will show us how Burgess’ landmark publication is the ‘tip of the iceberg’ of his wider research, writings, and artistic renderings of churchyard and other memorials. In exploring the fascinating life of this talented artist, teacher and scholar, she will discuss how despite numerous struggles and barriers he became arguably England’s first – and most unique – churchyard memorials expert.

Dr Elizabeth Blood is a historian of monuments and commemoration. Her research focuses on Midlands headstones and also on Frederick Burgess, about whom she is writing a publication. Her doctoral research looked at local war memorials and their conservation, and her work in museums, archives and building conservation has centred around collections, conservation and institutional history. She has been on the Council of the Church Monuments Society since 2020 and a Trustee of the Mausolea and Monuments Trust since 2023 and works as a heritage consultant.

This lecture is free but you need to book – to reserve a place, go to https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/annual-all-hallows-lecture-2026-dr-elizabeth-blood-on-frederick-b-burgess-tickets-1985630015829?aff=ebdsoporgprofile&_gl=1*1omw2xt*_up*MQ..*_ga*OTA5ODcyMzY2LjE3NzkzODg0ODI.*_ga_TQVES5V6SH*czE3NzkzODg0ODEkbzEkZzAkdDE3NzkzODg0ODEkajYwJGwwJGgw

Keep an eye on the Society’s website to find out why the rest of this year’s lectures will all take place on the 7th November in person…in Thaxted, Essex.