The Quick Intro
I am an architectural historian, writer and broadcaster and here you can read about my writing, editing, broadcasting, lectures and talks, study days, and other activities, as well as a blog of my travels. I do hope you find it useful, please feel free to get in touch with any queries.
Look out for…
In Pursuit of the Best Gun (1812 – 2012)
To celebrate the bicentenary of leading English gun maker, Westley Richards, its chairman and managing director, Simon Clode, is especially pleased to announce the publication of a lavishly illustrated history of the company. The book’s author is historian and broadcaster, Jeremy Musson, and it is illustrated with specially commissioned photography by renowned photographer, Terry Allen, together with much previously unseen archive material. The book has 336 pages, is produced in large format (measuring 13¾” by 10¼”) and printed in full colour throughout onto high quality paper stock including over 400 illustrations. Available to pre-order direct from Westley Richards here.
English Country House Interiors
Published by Rizzoli International Publications, New York this book is a tour of fourteen of the great country houses of England providing an illuminating tour through different aspects of the history of interior decoration in these houses, including up to the present time. Lavishly illustrated with new photography, thanks to a collaboration with leading architectural and interiors photographer, Paul Barker. Available to order on Amazon here.
Oliver Messel: in the Theatre of Design
I have two chapters in this book, edited by Thomas Messel, published by Rizzoli International, a fully illustrated survey of his design work for theatre, film, interiors and architecture, in which I write up his interior work and architectural works in the West Indies, with photography by Derry Moore and Lord Snowdon and others. Available to order on Amazon here.
Up and Down Stairs: A history of the Country House Servant
An ambitious but readable account of the history of the country house servant from Tudor times to the present day, published by John Murray is available in paperback, and has sold around 10,000 copies. Available to order on Amazon here.
English Ruins
A handsomely designed book, made up of my tour of twenty four important historic ruins with photographer Paul Barker published by Merrel in March has been reviewed in a number of journals and even discussed by Simon Jenkins in the Guardian. Available to order on Amazon here.
Forthcoming lectures:
Feb 4, talking on Oliver Messel’s architecture and interior design as part of an Oliver Messel symposium at the Victoria and Albert Museum, London, Tickets: £45/£35 concessions; £10 students. To book: call 0207 942 2211 or visit http://www.vam.ac.uk/whatson
March 21, lecture on ‘English Country House Interiors’ for the National Trust, Winchester at the Guildhall
Recent Articles:
‘Step into the Light’ on the glass engraver, Laurence Whistler, in Focus on the Visual Arts in Country Life, October 5, 78-81
‘African Aladdin’s Cave’ interview with Peter Adler, about his collection of African artefacts, The Field, October 2011, pp. 148-149, see Mr Adler’s jewellery on www.pebblelondon.com
‘Long Gone Silver’ in October issue on the atmospheric JWEvans the historic silver ware factory in Birmingham acquired by English Heritage
The new book on Messel to which I have contributed chapters on architecture and decoration is out this week and here are some press notices.
Press notices of Oliver Messel: In the Theatre of Design, to which I have contributed two chapters and is launched this month – The New York Times Style Magazine – Centre Stage
Here are some reviews for my latest publication, English Country House Interiors published in october by rizzoli – House and Garden, December 2011, pp.95 and The Times, November 26 2011, pp.114
An archive of my articles can be view here
BBC Radio Cambridgeshire – Liz Fraser
Download Radio Interview (5.5 MB – mp3)
BBC Radio Cambridgeshire SPAB week – Great Country Houses
Download Radio Interview (25 MB – mp3)
“On the trail of my heroes: visiting Vanbrugh’s King’s Weston Near Bristol”
This picture show me with the Plunket scholars at Boughton House
Footnote
I hope you’ll enjoy looking around the site and find what you’re looking for. I welcome your feedback and look forward to hearing from you. Thank you for visiting.