Derek A. Edwards

Derek A.Edwards, Dip.Archaeol. (London), M.I.F.A., Affiliate IfL

Derek Edwards read archaeology at the University of London from 1974 - 1978 and is a founder member of the Institute of Field Archaeologists. A member of the Aerial Archaeology Research Committee of the Council for British Archaeology from 1976-1991 and Honorary Secretary of the Committee for Archaeological Air Photography (Anglian Region) from 1976-1979, he has been the editor and publisher of the international journal AERIAL ARCHAEOLOGY since 1976 and President of NAPLIB - the National Association of Aerial Photographic Libraries from 1998 to 2002.

As Aerial Photography Officer of Norfolk Museums Service from 1974 to 2000, Derek Edwards was both Curator and principal contributor to the Norfolk Aerial Photography Library, where he amassed a collection of some 100,000 photographs - possibly the largest regional archive of aerial photography in England. Some 1500 of his aerial photographs have been published in more than 500 books, learned journals and the news media.

Responsible for the long-term, on-going, programme of aerial reconnaissance for archaeology and landscape studies in Norfolk for some twenty-seven years, his aerial photography books include:

“Norfolk from the Air” (1987)

ISBN: 0 903101 55 6 (hardback)

ISBN: 0 903101 56 4 (paperback)

…the first book to be published showing the Norfolk landscape as viewed from the air. It reveals how the scenery is made up of elements of every date from the Stone Age to the present day. Burial mounds, Roman roads, castles, village greens, country houses and market towns have each added their dimension to a remarkable story…

“Norfolk from the Air”, Volume 1 (1997)

ISBN: 0 903101 63 7

In response to many requests, this revised edition of ‘Norfolk from the Air’ was the first of a pair of volumes.

“Norfolk from the Air”, Volume 2 (1999)

ISBN: 0 903101 63 7

… a remarkable collection of aerial photographs, mostly taken since the publication of “Volume I” of this popular book, it includes exciting discoveries like the Roman forts at Saham Toney and Swanton Morley, and a Roman villa complete with its heating system, near Swaffham. Also featured are images of the natural landscape, farming, historic town centres and country houses.

Norfolk Country Houses from the Air (2000)

ISBN: 0 7509 2347 4

This aerial exploration of Norfolk’s most famous historic houses – with text by Professor Tom Williamson - offers a fascinating and unusual view of the great buildings, their grounds and gardens. The aerial photographs are combined with plans, drawings and paintings to provide a detailed portrait of the houses concerned - a unique, revealing and expert account of one of the most significant aspects of Norfolk’s history and its landscape today.”

Wings Over Norfolk: Early Aviation and the Pioneer Aerial Photographers (forthcoming)

Featured in a series of extracts in the Eastern Daily Press, Derek Edwards' long-term research into the history of aerial photography in Norfolk is to be published as a book entitled "Wings Over Norfolk: Early Aviation and the Pioneer Air Photographers"

Awards:

Derek Edwards received the Commendation of the Society for the Interpretation of Britain's Heritage for ”outstanding interpretive practice" in 1990 for "Norfolk from the Air" (1987); Classic fm “Joie de Vivre” award on 7 August 1996, and was awarded Third Place in the Museums Trading and Publication Group National Awards 2000 for "Norfolk from the Air, Volume 2"