Stuart Morris

Stuart Morris was born on Portland in 1942, and his roots on the Island go back many generations. His interest in Portland's history was fostered by the discovery of his family's involvement with quarrying, the Breakwater, fishing and even smuggling.

For 12 years Stuart represented Portland on the Dorset County Council, and was (and is) an ardent campaigner for the local environment. He was Portland Town Mayor in 1980-81.

He had a successful career in civil engineering, and was the project manager for many local schemes, ranging from coast protection works at Chesil to Weymouth's Town Centre Traffic Management and pedestrianisation schemes. From 1991 he was the Highways Agency Manager for the local Borough Council, retiring in 2000.

Stuart was a founder member of the Portland Field Research Group and the Isle of Portland Heritage Trust, and he is a patron of the Royal Manor Workshops. As well as photography, Stuart's interests include technology, videography, music and the arts. He is married to Heather, with 3 grown-up children and 7 grandchildren.

Stuart Morris is the author of:

Portland: An Illustrated History, 2016 Edition. A new, enlarged and updated edition with colour!

Portland: An Illustrated History (original Edition 1985, 2005),

Among the numerous reviews of the 1st Edition: "The best local history book I have ever read" (J.A. BBC TV presenter).

This book has also been the inspiration for at least three notable novels!

Portland Camera (1990),

Discover Dorset: Portland (1998, 2009),

Portland, A Portrait in Colour (2002),

Weymouth, A portrait in Colour (2004)

Portland Then and Now (2006)

Dorset: The Royal Navy (2011)

and other local books.

Recent radio/TV appearances include:

Marie Stopes(BBC Radio 4)

Railway Walks with Julia Bradbury (BBC4 & BBC2)

Men of Stone (BBC Radio 4)

Mark Steel's in Town (BBC Radio 4)- off-beat comedy show!

CountryFile, with Julia Bradbury (BBC)