Anna Keay

Anna Keay, OBE (born 1974 or 1975[2] in the West Highlands of Scotland),[1] is a British architectural historian, author and television personality and director of The Landmark Trust since 2012.

Anna Keay
Born1974 or 1975
West Highlands, Scotland[1]
NationalityBritish
EducationDoctor of Philosophy[2]
Alma materOxford University[1][2]
University of London[2]
OccupationArchitectural historian, author, TV personality
Years active1996–present
EmployerThe Landmark Trust, (Director 2012–present)[2][3]
Spouse(s)Simon Thurley (m. 2008–present)[1][4]
ChildrenTwo[1][2][4]
Parents
RelativesHumphrey Atkins (grandfather)[2]
WebsiteAnnaKeay.co.uk

Early life and education

Keay grew up in a remote home in the West Highlands, the daughter of authors John Keay[1] and Julia Keay.[1] She was the granddaughter of Conservative politician and former chief whip Humphrey Atkins.[2]

She was educated at Oban High School in Argyll and Bedales School. She then read history at Magdalen College in Oxford.[1][2]

She has a PhD from the University of London; her thesis was on court ceremonial in the reign of Charles II.[1][5]

Career

Keay worked for English Heritage from 2002–2012, including seven years as curator of the Tower of London.[2] As its Director of Properties Presentation, she was involved in the restoration of the Elizabethan Garden at Kenilworth Castle, which featured in a 2009 BBC television series about English Heritage.[6]

She has served as director of The Landmark Trust since 2012.[3][2]

She appeared on BBC Radio 4's The Museum of Curiosity in October 2014. Her hypothetical donation to this fictional museum was the St Edward's Crown, part of the British Crown Jewels.[7]

Private life

Keay married fellow historian Simon Thurley in 2008. The couple have fraternal twins, Arthur and Maude, born in 2009.[2][4]

Awards and honours
  • Keay was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2019 Birthday Honours for services to heritage.[8]

Selected publications
  • The Earl of Essex: The Life and Death of a Tudor Traitor (2001, Historic Royal Palaces, ISBN 978-1873993156)
  • The Magnificent Monarch: Charles II and the Ceremonies of Power (2008, Bloomsbury, ISBN 978-1847252258)[9]
  • The Crown Jewels: The Official Illustrated History (2012, Thames & Hudson, ISBN 978-0500289822)
  • The Elizabethan Garden at Kenilworth Castle (2013, English Heritage, ISBN 9781848020344)

References
  1. "Biography". Anna Keay. Retrieved 7 April 2017.
  2. Lister-Kaye, Hermione (13 June 2014). "Anna Keay on India, motherhood and the Duke of Monmouth". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 7 April 2017.
  3. "The Landmark Trust > Staff > Dr Anna Keay, Director". The Landmark Trust. Archived from the original on 17 October 2017. Retrieved 7 April 2017.
  4. "Simon Thurley – about me". Simon Thurley. Retrieved 7 April 2017.
  5. Golfar, Fiona. "Closet Harmony: Hard Working Clothes". www.vogue.co.uk. Retrieved 26 July 2018.
  6. Jardine, Cassandra (18 April 2009). "Heritage TV or a restoration comedy?". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 6 November 2014.
  7. "Gallery 7: Room 4". QI.com. The Museum of Curiosity, Quite Interesting Limited. Retrieved 8 April 2017.
  8. "No. 62666". The London Gazette (Supplement). 8 June 2019. p. B12.
  9. Massie, Allan (2 August 2008). "The kingly touch of Charles II". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 6 November 2014. Review
  • AnnaKeay.co.uk — official website
  • Clifton House — private home of Dr Anna Keay and Dr Simon Thurley, occasionally open to the public
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