President

 

Current President 2018–2019

Dame Suzi Leather chairs the Office of the Independent Adjudicator for Higher Education, the ombudsman for higher education students; serves on the board of the General Medical Council; and is a trustee of Stepchange, the debt advice charity. Locally, she chaired the Plymouth Fairness Commission, is a Vice-President of Hospiscare and served on the Council and Ethics Committee of Exeter University.

Dame Suzi has a wide professional background having been Chair of the Charity Commission, the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority, the School Food Trust, the School Meals Review Panel, the Council of Food Policy Advisers and Lankellychase Foundation. She was the founder Deputy Chair of the UK Food Standards Agency. In the health field she chaired a local NHS trust and the Ethics Committee of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists.

Dame Suzi lives in Exeter and is married with three adult children and a grandson. She went to Tavistock School and has lived in Devon on and off since her sixth birthday. She is married to Professor Iain Hampsher-Monk, the historian of political thought. She is an active, if slow, triathlete and also enjoys long distance walking having done four camino routes to Santiago de Compostela and last year completed the GR20 in Corsica.

Suzi was created a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 2006 and is a Deputy Lieutenant of Devon.

Photo: Antony T. Buller

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Coming President 2019–2020

John Allan, BA, MPhil, FSA has been Consultant Archaeologist to the Dean & Chapter of Exeter Cathedral since 1990. He is also Archaeological Adviser to Glastonbury Abbey, a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of London, Senior Hon. Research Fellow of the University of Exeter and Past President of the Devon Archaeological Society.

For twenty years (1984–2004) he was Curator of Antiquities at Exeter Museum. He has served as Joint Editor of the international journal Post-Medieval Archaeology and Editor (1984–1997) of the Devon Archaeological Society, and is currently the President of the Friends of Devon Archives. He has also been a leading specialist in the field of medieval pottery in South-West England since the 1970s. He has published one book, an edited volume and about 140 papers on different aspects of the medieval and later archaeology of South-West England including ceramics, church architecture, numismatics, domestic buildings and cultural links to Brittany.

He lives in Exeter with his wife Jill, and has two sons and two grandchildren who also live in the city.

Photo: Antony T. Buller

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Former Presidents

Some details of our most recent presidents are here.

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List of all our Presidents

Including the locations of the AGMs at which they were inaugurated.

2018	Dartmouth	Dame Suzi Leather
2017	Buckfast	David Fursdon, MA, FRICS, FRAgS, (H.M. Lord Lieutenant of Devon)
2016	Cullompton	Todd Gray, MBE, BA, PhD, FRHistS
2015	Tavistock	Tom Greeves, MA, PhD
2014	Barnstaple	Christopher Cornford, BA, MSc, PhD, CertEd, FGS
2013	Kingsbridge	Andrew Cooper, BSc, Esq.
2012	Torquay	The Revd Peter Beacham, OBE
2011	Axminster	Canon Professor Nicholas Orme, MA, DPhil, DLitt, FSA, FRHistS
2010	Holsworthy	Mr Roger F. S. Thorne, JP, CEng, MICE, FSA
2009	Dulverton	Rachel Thomas, CBE, DL, BA, DrSc.h.c., FRGS
2008	Bovey Tracey	Anthony Beard, Esq.
2007	Ilfracombe	Justin Leigh, Esq.
2006	Salcombe	Anthony Gibson, Esq., OBE, MA, Hon. MSc, ARAgS
2005	Seaton	Prof. Malcolm Hart, BSc, PhD, DSc, ARCS, DIC, FGS, CGeol, CSci
2004	South Molton	Prof. Ivan Roots, MA, FSA, FRHistS
2003	Chagford	HM Lord Lieutenant of Devon (Eric Dancer, CBE, KStJ, JP)
2002	Plymouth	Barrie Williams, Esq.
2001	Totnes	His Grace the Duke of Somerset
2000	Exeter	The Rt Revd Richard Hawkins (Bishop of Crediton)
1999	Great Torrington	The Lady Margaret Fortescue
1998	Exmouth	J. Bosanko, Esq., BA, FSA
1997	Crediton	Sir Hugh Stucley, Bt
1996	Tavistock	G. T. Boalch, BSc, PhD, CBiol, FIBiol, FLS
1995	Bideford	The Rt Hon. the Lord Clinton
1994	Torquay	R. C. Scrivener, Esq., BSc, PhD
1993	Sidmouth	Sir Jack Boles, MBE, DL
1992	Okehampton	Sir John Quicke, CBE, DL, Hon. DSc
1991	Dartmouth	Miss M. E. Lorenz, BA
1990	Tiverton	F. J. M. Laver, Esq., CBE, Hon. DSc
1989	Barnstaple	Prof. Joyce A. Youings, BA, PhD, FRHistS
1988	Plymouth	Lt-Col. the Rt Hon. the Earl of Morley, JP
1987	Exeter	Brendan Moore, Esq., MD, BSc, FRCPath
1986	Buckfastleigh	The Rt Rev. Leo Smith, PhD
1985	Ottery St Mary	The Rev. Amos 5. Cresswell, MA
1984	Hatherleigh	Dr Basil Greenhill, CB, CMG, PhD, FSA, FRHistS (afterwards Hon. DLitt)
1983	Teignmouth	R. Crispin Gill, Esq., OBE, FRGS (afterwards Hon. MA, FSA)
1982	Moretonhampstead	Ian Mercer, Esq., BA (afterwards Prof., CBE, Hon. LLD, DSc, FLI)
1981	Ilfracombe	Prof. Frank Barlow, MA, DPhil, Hon. DLitt, FBA, FRSL (afterwards CBE)
1980	Exmouth	Sir Eric Smith, CBE, FRS, ScD
1979	Salcombe	G. M. Spooner, Esq., MBE, MA, FRES
1978	Tavistock	Prof. W. G. Hoskins, CBE, FBA, MA, Hon. DLitt, FRIBA
1977	Ashburton	Col. The Rt Hon. the Lord Clifford, OBE, DL
1976	Bideford	Sir Denis Stucley. Bt, JP, DL
1975	Sidmouth	Sir Charles Cave, Bt
1974	Tiverton	Sir Richard Acland, Bt
1973	Plymouth	The Rt Hon. the Lord Foot
1972	Dartmouth	Hon. Margaret Lambert, CMG, PhD
1971	Barnstaple	Prof. G. Wilson Knight, CBE, Dlit
1970	Honiton	A. Stuart Hibberd, Esq., MBE, MA
1969	Dawlish	Prof. J. Caldwell, DSC, PhD (afterwards OBE)
1968	Paignton	A. P. G. Michelmore, Esq., MA (afterwards MBE)
1967	Great Torrington	The Bishop of Crediton (The Rt Revd W. A. E. Westall)
1966	Okehampton	H. G. Hurrell, Esq., JP, MA (afterwards MBE)
1965	Totnes	Norman Capener, Esq., FRCS (afterwards CBE)
1964	Cullompton	The Rt Hon. the Viscount Amory, GCMG
1963	Budleigh	Dom. J. Stéphan, OSB, FRHistS, FAMS (afterwards FSA)
1962	Exeter	The Lord Bishop of Exeter (the Rt Rev. R. C. Mortimer, DD)
1961	Ilfracombe	J. W. (afterwards Sir James) Cook, Esq., DSC, ScD, PhD, FRIC, FRS
1960	South Molton	The Rt Hon. the Earl of Halsbury, FRIC, FInstP
1959	Ashburton	L. K. Elmhirst, Esq., MA, Hon. DrPolSci
1958	Kingsbridge	Miss Mary Coate, MA, FSA, FRHistS
1957	Exeter	The Revd S. C. Carpenter, DD
1956	Lynton	The Rt Hon. the Earl Fortescue, KG, CB, OBE, MC
1955	Crediton	Miss Ursula Radford, FSA
1954	Seaton	St John Ervine, Esq.
1953	Plymouth	F. S. (afterwards Sir Frederick) Russell, Esq., DSC, DFS, CBE, LLD, FRS
1952	Tiverton	Mrs M. C. S. Cruwys, FSA
1951	Brixham	Comdr (S.) A. W. B. Messenger, LRIBA, FSA, RN
1950	Sidmouth	E. Emery Adams, Esq., DCM
1949	Tavistock	B. W. Oliver, Esq., FRIBA
1948	Bideford	The Rt Hon. L. S. Amery, PC, CH
1947	Chagford	C. A. Ralegh Radford, Esq., MA, FRHistS, FSA (afterwards Hon. DLitt, FBA)
1946	Newton Abbot	R. Waterfield, Esq., BA
1945	Exeter	P. Morris, Esq., FRIBA, FSA
1944	Exeter	The Ven. A. H. Thompson, MA
1943	Exeter	Col. Ransom Pickard, CB, CMG, MD, FRCS
1942	No Meeting	Mrs F. Rose—Troup, FRHistS
1941	Exeter	Hugh Lloyd Parry, Esq., OBE, BA, BSc, LLB
1940	Exeter	C. W Bracken, Esq., BA, FRES
1939	Honiton	G. M. Doe, Esq., JP
1938	Barnstaple	G. T. Harris, Esq.
1937	Tavistock	Prof. W. J. Harte, MA
1936	Torquay	The Rt Hon. the Lord Mamhead, DL, JP
1935	Sidmouth	Prof. Sir John Satterly, ARCSc, MA, DSc, FRS (CAN)
1934	Plymouth	Sir John C. Squire, MA, Hon. FRIBA
1933	Ilfracombe	Prof. Sir Westcott Stile Abell, KBE, MEng, MINA, MICE
1932	Paignton	J. J. Alexander, Esq., MA, FRHistS, JP
1931	Exeter	The Lord Bishop of Plymouth (Dr J. H. B. Masterman)
1930	Princetown	R. Hansford Worth, Esq., MICE, FCS, FRMS
1929	Dartmouth	G. P. Bidder, Esq., ScD, FZS
1928	Lynton	Lady Radford, FRHistS, JP
1927	Exmouth	W. C. Dampier-Whetham, Esq., MA, FRS (afterwards Sir William C. Dampier, ScD, FRS)
1926	Bideford	R. Pearse Chope, Esq., BA, JP
1925	Okehampton	The Revd Prebendary (afterwards Treasurer) J. F. Chanter, MA, FSA
1924	Ashburton	J. S. Amery, Esq., JP
1923	Salcombe	A. E. H. Tutton, Esq., DSC, FRS
1922	Crediton	The Rt Hon. Sir Henry Duke, KC (afterwards Lord Merrivale)
1921	Lyme Regis	Sir Oswyn A. R. Murray, KCB (afterwards GCB)
1920	Totnes	Edward Windeatt, Esq., JP
1919	Tiverton	The Very Revd H. R. Gamble, DD (Dean of Exeter)
1918	Torquay	H. R. Watkin, Esq.
1917	Barnstaple	W P. Hiern, Esq.
1916	Plymouth	E. J. Allen, Esq., DSC, FRS (afterwards CBE)
1915	Exeter	A. W. Clayden, Esq., MA, FGS
1914	Tavistock	Prof. A. M. Worthington, CB, FRS
1913	Buckfastleigh	Ashley A. Froude, Esq., CMG, MA, JP
1912	Exeter	The Rt Hon. the Viscount StCyres, MA, JP
1911	Dartmouth	Robert Burnard, Esq., FSA, JP
1910	Cullompton	John D. Enys, Esq., FGS, JP
1909	Launceston	The Lord Bishop of Truro (Dr C. W. Stubbs)
1908	Newton Abbot	The Rt Hon. the Lord Monkswell, DL, LLB, JP
1907	Axminster	The Lord Bishop of Exeter (Dr A. Robertson)
1906	Lynton	F. T. Elworthy, Esq., FSA
1905	Princetown	Basil H. Thompson, Esq. (afterwards Sir Basil H. Thompson, KCB)
1904	Teignmouth	Sir Alfred W. Croft, KCIE, MA
1903	Sidmouth	Sir Edgar Vincent, KCMG, MP (afterwards Viscount D’Abernon, PC, GCB, GCMG)
1902	Bideford	The Revd W. Harpley, MA, FCPS
1901	Exeter	Sir Roger Lethbridge, KCIE, MA, DL, JP
1900	Totnes	The Rt Hon. the Lord Clifford, MA, JP
1899	Torrington	The Revd Canon W. J. Edmonds, BD
1898	Honiton	The Rt Hon. the Lord Coleridge, MA, QC (afterwards Justice of the King’s Bench)
1897	Kingsbridge	J. Hine, Esq., FRIBA
1896	Ashburton	The Revd S. Baring—Gould, MA
1895	Okehampton	The Rt Hon. the Lord Halsbury, DCL (afterwards Earl of Halsbury)
1894	South Molton	Sir Frederick Pollock, Bt, MA
1893	Torquay	T. N. Brushfield, Esq., MD (afterwards FSA)
1892	Plymouth	A. H. A. Hamilton, Esq., MA, JP, CC
1891	Tiverton	R. N. Worth, Esq., FGS
1890	Barnstaple	The Rt Hon. the Lord Clinton, MA
1889	Tavistock	H. W. Hudleston, Esq., MA, FGS, FLS, FCS, FRS
1888	Exeter	The Very Revd B. Cowie, DD (Dean of Exeter)
1887	Plympton	The Revd W. H. Dallinger, LLD, FLS, FRS
1886	St Marychurch	Sir John B. Phear, MA, FGS, JP
1885	Seaton	R. F. Weymouth, Esq., Dlit
1884	Newton Abbot	The Revd T. R. R. Stebbing, MA (afterwards FLS, FRS)
1883	Exmouth	The Very Revd C. Merrivale, DD, DCL
1882	Crediton	J. Brooking Rowe, Esq., FSA, FLS
1881	Dawlish	The Revd Prof. C. Chapman, LLD
1880	Totnes	H. W. Dyke Acland, Esq., MD, LLD, FRGS, FRS (afterwards Sir Henry Acland, Bt, KCB)
1879	Ilfracombe	The Rt Hon. Sir R. P. Collier, MA (afterwards Lord Monkswell)
1878	Paignton	Sir Samuel White Baker, MA, FRGS, FRS
1877	Kingsbridge	The Ven. H. Earle, MA (afterwards Bishop of Marlborough)
1876	Ashburton	The Revd Treasurer J. M. Hawker, MA
1875	Torrington	R. J. King, MA
1874	Teignmouth	The Rt Hon. the Earl of Devon
1873	Sidmouth	The Rt Hon. S. Cave, MA, MP (afterwards Sir Stephen Cave)
1872	Exeter	The Lord Bishop of Exeter (Dr F. Temple) (afterwards Archbishop of Canterbury)
1871	Bideford	The Revd Canon C. Kingsley, MA, FIS, FGS
1870	Devonport	J. A. Froude, Esq., MA
1869	Dartmouth	G. P. Bidder, Esq.
1868	Honiton	J. D. Coleridge, Esq., QC, MA, MP (afterwards the Rt Hon. Lord Coleridge, FRS, Lord Chief Justice)
1867	Barnstaple	W. Pengelly, Esq., FGS, FRS
1866	Tavistock	The Rt Hon. the Earl Russell, KG, KGC, FRS
1865	Tiverton	C. G. D. Daubeny, Esq., MD, LLD, FRS
1864	Torquay	E. Vivian, Esq., MA
1863	Plymouth	C. Spence Bate, Esq., FLS, FRS
1862	Exeter	Sir John Bowring, LLD, FRS