Dr Kay Hartley
Born Burnley 2nd August 1929. Died Leeds 22nd May 2025
Dr Kay Hartley who was a founder member of the Study Group for Roman Pottery (SGRP), our friend and esteemed colleague, has died. She died peacefully in her beloved Leeds on May 22nd at the grand age of 95. Her studies in Roman pottery, particularly mortaria, can be found in most published Roman pottery reports produced in Britain and Europe over the last 70 years. This in itself is an amazing achievement, but that she had the foresight, supported by Ruth Leary and Yvonne Boutwood, to digitise her archive and make it freely available to pottery students worldwide, has ensured that her legacy is protected and will live on.
Kay Hartley Mortarium Archive Project
In 2005, the SGRP produced a Festschrift in Kay’s honour. The volume includes a biographical note by Geoff Dannell, written with the help of Brian Hartley and her family, which offers an insight into her early life and challenges.
Journal of Roman Pottery Studies – Volume 12
Kay kept working long after retirement age and indeed was identifying stamps and helping her colleagues only weeks before she died. In 2023 The University of Newcastle awarded her an Honorary Doctor of Letters, which was a wonderful day and so well deserved, particularly when you know that she had her original PhD funding revoked when she married – this was an injustice, and that it could be reversed understandably meant a lot to Kay, her family and her friends.
Kay was a pioneer, with an indomitable spirit, she had a clear vision and knew her own worth. She was a wonderful academic, a fantastic and generous mentor and a good friend. She will be missed very greatly, and it is safe to say her like will not be seen again.
Dr Alice Lyons, President SGRP
