Dr Mary Alexander Retires From Guildford Museum After 33 Years

Published on: 18 Aug, 2012
Updated on: 25 Aug, 2012

Dr Mary Alexander at her retirement party with gifts from well wishers

Friends and colleagues gathered at The Keep last night (17 Aug) to mark the retirement of Dr Mary Alexander, the much respected Collections Officer at Guildford Museum.

Mary joined the Museum in April 1979 with a degree in archaeology and a background of local excavations, including the dig on the site of Guildford’s medieval friary. Over the following 33 years she built up a compendious knowledge of the Museum’s collections, and researched aspects of local history which led to a number of publications and her election as a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries.

Her work on the early history of Guildford Castle formed the basis for a thesis which resulted in her being awarded a Doctorate of Philosophy. While Mary intends to continue her historical research and publications, all agreed that Guildford Museum had lost a valuable asset, an expert from whom many local historians sought advice.

Responses to Dr Mary Alexander Retires From Guildford Museum After 33 Years

Roger Marjoribanks

August 18, 2012 at 7:13 pm

May I very strongly recommend Mary’s book “George Abbot’s Guildford.” It weaves together skilfully the career of a remarkable man, who from middle-class origins rose to the Archbishopric of Canterbury, with the Guildford into which he was born and which he never forgot; he left as legacy the magnificent Abbot’s Hospital. The account of his family is especially interesting – great men do have families! So too is the account of the Royal Grammar School in George’s time.
While liereary critics might find the style rather staccato, those with an interest in national and local history, and particularly the link between the two, will fall on it with glee. It is well worth the £5.99 cost and can be obtained at Guildford House and the Museum.
- M. Morecroft
  
  August 27, 2012 at 1:44 pm
  
  To Roger Marjoribanks
  
  Are you the same Roger Marjoribanks who has written the Marjoribanks Journals that are on the internet?
  
  If so, I would like to contact you with regard to some research that I am doing which concerns the Marjoribanks family from 1850 to 1920.
  - Martin Giles
    
    August 28, 2012 at 10:18 am
    
    Roger Marjoribanks has confirmed he is a family historian and has replied privately.
Bernard Parke

August 19, 2012 at 8:51 am

I am sure that many Guildfordians will remember Dr. Mary Alexander for many things, but none so much as her marvellous work on the Guildford Castle.

Dr. Alexander changed what could be described as a neglected shell into a building of great interest.

I, for one, will miss her contributions to our town.

She will be a great loss to Guildford.
Pauline Surrey

August 23, 2012 at 5:00 pm

I’d also like to recommend Mary’s book on St Mary’s Church, Guildford.