New book pays tribute to leading Sheffield historian who was pioneer in identifying potential of DNA in historical studies

The new works celebrate historian David Hey’s commitment to the landscape, economy and society over the years and has been written by his friends and colleagues and focus on the landscape, economy and society of south Yorkshire.
New book pays tribute to the life and works of Sheffield historian David HeyNew book pays tribute to the life and works of Sheffield historian David Hey
New book pays tribute to the life and works of Sheffield historian David Hey

David Hey who died in 2016 was one of the leading local and regional historians of our age and the author of a number of highly regarded books on the practice of local history. His work on surnames was described as pioneering and he was among the first to identify the potential of DNA in historical studies.

The new book, Histories of People and Landscape, looks at English history and heritage in South Yorkshire — especially Sheffield — and Derbyshire, which together make up ‘Hey country’, the area in which David Hey grew up and to which he returned to work.

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Christopher Dunkley, from University of Hertfordshire Press said: “This lively volume will be of interest to anyone who shares David Hey’s curiosity for the people, economies and landscapes of the part of England he made his focus.

New book pays tribute to the life and works of Sheffield historian David HeyNew book pays tribute to the life and works of Sheffield historian David Hey
New book pays tribute to the life and works of Sheffield historian David Hey

" At the same time the essays will prove to be of interest to all those concerned with the workings of English local society and economy. Covering a wide range of subjects and periods, they include accounts of the early English steel industry, Sheffield cutlers, Lord William Cavendish’s canny use of his stepson’s wardship, the lost woodlands of the Peak District, First World War food production in Derbyshire, south Yorkshire deer parks and a brief history of Little Londons.

Fresh research into family and place name history contributes fascinating detail to the mix.

The contributors are some of the key researchers in academic local history, including Alan Crosby, Nicola Verdon, John Broad, John Beckett, Ian D. Rotherham, Melvyn Jones, Dorian Gerhold and Peter Edwards.

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A tribute to David Hey by Charles Phythian-Adams opens the volume which has been edited by Richard W. Hoyle.

The new book Histories of People and Landscape is published by University of Hertfordshire Press and is available to pre-order from Waterstones ahead of its release on March 1 and will be £35.

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