Edward Alexander Impey, FSA, FRHistS (born 28 May 1962) is a British historian, archaeologist, and museum curator. Between October 2013 and January 2022 he was Master of the Armouries and Director General of the Royal Armouries.[1][2]
Early life and education
Impey was born on 28 May 1962 to Oliver Impey and Jane Mellanby.[2] His father was a zoologist by training who became specialist in Japanese art, and his mother was a neuroscientist.[3] His grandfather Kenneth Mellanby was a biochemist. He grew up in the City of Oxford where his father was a curator at the Ashmolean Museum.[3] He was educated at the Dragon School, a preparatory school in Oxford, and at Bedales School, a private school near Petersfield, Hampshire.[2]
Impey has degrees in history and archaeology.[4] He studied at Oriel College, Oxford, graduated with a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree and a Master of Philosophy (MPhil) degree.[2] At Oxford, the BA is promoted to a Master of Arts (MA Oxon) degree a number of years after graduating, and an MPhil is a two-year taught master's degree. He remained at the University of Oxford to undertake postgraduate research, and completed his Doctor of Philosophy (DPhil) degree in 1991.[2] His doctoral thesis was titled The origins and development of non-conventual monastic dependencies in England and Normandy 1000–1350.[5]
Career
Impey worked as a curator at Historic Royal Palaces and served as Director of Heritage Protection and Planning at English Heritage.[1] On 30 July 2013, he was announced as the next Master of the Armouries and Director General of the Royal Armouries.[1] In 2022, however, he retired from this job and from work. He took up the appointments in October 2013 in succession to Lieutenant-General Jonathon Riley.[1][4] Along with John Goodall, Impey is a patron of the Castle Studies Trust, a UK registered charity.[6]
Personal life
In 2008, Impey married Karen Lundgren.[2] Together, they have two daughters.[1][2]
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