Papers of Leslie Alcock, 1925-2006, archaeologist, Professor of Archaeology, University of Glasgow, Scotland

Records relating to the excavations of:  

• Canna, c1970s-1980s;
• Dunollie, c1970s-1980s;
• Dundurn, c1970s-1980s;
• St Abb's Head, Berwickshire, c1970s-1980s;

Leslie Alcock was born 24 April  1925 , the only son of Philip John Alcock and Mary Ethel. He was educated at Manchester Grammar School, Manchester, England, and went on to study at Brasenose College, Oxford, England. His Oxford career was broken by war service when he became a Captain in the 7th Gurkha Rifles. He graduated in  1949  with a BA, and in  1950  with an MA. On graduating he was employed as the Superintendent of Exploration for the Pakistani Government's Archaeology department. He spent two years doing field reconnaissance and excavation with the Government of Pakistan. In 1952 he became the curator at Abbey House Museum, Kirkstall, Leeds, England. Then in 1953 he became an assistant lecturer in archaeology at University College, Cardiff, Wales. He was promoted to lecturer in 1955, senior lecturer in 1961, and reader in 1967. Leslie Alcock went on to hold a personal professorship at University College, Cardiff, Wales. In  1973  he was appointed Professor of Archaeology at the  University of Glasgow . In  1974  , he was appointed the Honorary Keeper of the Archaeological and Anthropological Collections of the  Hunterian Museum, University of Glasgow , Glasgow University.

Leslie Alcock published widely, particularly on the Iron Age, Roman and early medieval subjects based on excavations. His publications include Dinas Powys, (1963), Arthur's Britain, (1971), Cadbury/Camelot, (1972), as well as numerous articles and reviews in British and American journals. He was renowned for his direction of the excavations at Cadbury Castle, Somerset, which added considerably to knowledge of Arthurian Britain. He was a fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of London, of the Royal Historical Society and of the Royal Society of Edinburgh. In 1969 he was made an Honorary Fellow of the University of Mississippi. In 1973 he became a member of the Medieval Academy of America. From 1974 to 1977 he was the Vice President of the Council for British Archaeology. In 1977 he became a member of the Royal Commission on Ancient and Historic Sites of Scotland.

Source:  Glasgow University Graduates AssociationThe College Courant: Journal of the Glasgow University Graduates Association, no.25, Glasgow, Scotland, 1973

The arrangement of this material reflects the original order in which it was received

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Digital file level list available in searchroom

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Fonds level description compiled by Hannah Westall, Archives Assistant, 17 April 2000.

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University of Glasgow Archive Services also hold two further collections of uncatalogued material relating to Prof Leslie Alcock:  

• GB 248 ACCN 2507;
• GB 248 ACCN 2984.

Material in held other repositories:  

• Papers relating to the excavation of Cadbury Castle, Somerset (DD/Cam) Somerset Archive and Record Service (GB 168);
• Correspondence with C A Gresham 1959-1969 (NRA 26130) National Library of Wales, Department of Manuscripts and Records (GB 210);
• Correspondence with D H Kennett 1966-1968 (X4000/11), Bedfordshire and Luton Archives and Record Service (GB 004).

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