Anna Keay Explained

Anna Keay
Birth Place:West Highlands, Scotland
Nationality:British
Education:Doctor of Philosophy
Alma Mater:Oxford University
University of London
Occupation:Architectural historian, author, TV personality
Years Active:1996–present
Employer:The Landmark Trust, (Director 2012–present)
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Works:, which produces label "Works" -->
Children:Two
Mother:Julia Keay
Father:John Keay
Relatives:Humphrey Atkins (grandfather)

Anna Julia Keay (born August 1974[1] [2] in the West Highlands of Scotland),[3] is a British architectural historian, author and television personality and director of The Landmark Trust since 2012.

Early life and education

Keay grew up in a remote home in the West Highlands, the daughter of authors John Keay[3] and Julia Keay.[3] She is the granddaughter of Conservative politician and former chief whip Humphrey Atkins.

She was educated at Oban High School in Argyll and Bedales School. She then read history at Magdalen College in Oxford.[3]

She then studied for a PhD at Queen Mary, University of London; her thesis The ceremonies of Charles II's court was completed in 2004.[4]

Career

Keay worked for English Heritage from 2002–2012, including seven years as Assistant Curator of the Historic Royal Palaces,[5] responsible for Hampton Court, the Banqueting House, Whitehall, and the Tower of London. 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.[7] [8]

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.[9] She co-presented The Buildings That Made Britain on Channel 5.

Keay is Trustee of the Royal Collection Trust.

Private life

Keay married fellow historian Simon Thurley in 2008. The couple have fraternal twins, Arthur and Maud, born in 2008.[8] [10] They live in London and Norfolk.

Awards and honours

Selected publications

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Anna Julia KEAY - Personal Appointments . . 2021-05-22.
  2. Web site: Anna Julia KEAY - Personal Appointments . . 2021-05-22.
  3. Web site: Biography. Anna Keay. 13 September 2022.
  4. PhD . Keay . Anna . 2004 . The ceremonies of Charles II's court . .
  5. Web site: Anna Keay (Bloomsbury writer biography) .
  6. News: Jardine. Cassandra. Heritage TV or a restoration comedy?. 6 November 2014. The Daily Telegraph. 18 April 2009.
  7. Web site: The Landmark Trust > Staff > Dr Anna Keay, Director. The Landmark Trust. 7 April 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171017202710/https://www.landmarktrust.org.uk/about-us/about-us/landmark-staff/Dr-Anna-Keay-Director/. 17 October 2017. dead.
  8. News: Lister-Kaye. Hermione. 13 June 2014. Anna Keay on India, motherhood and the Duke of Monmouth. The Daily Telegraph. 7 April 2017.
  9. Web site: Gallery 7: Room 4. The Museum of Curiosity, Quite Interesting Limited. QI.com. 8 April 2017.
  10. Web site: Simon Thurley – about me. Simon Thurley. 7 April 2017.
  11. Web site: 2022-10-11 . Baillie Gifford Prize 2022 shortlist announced . 2022-10-17 . Books+Publishing . en-AU.
  12. News: Massie. Allan. The kingly touch of Charles II. 6 November 2014. The Daily Telegraph. 2 August 2008. Review