Roy Starkey

Please describe yourself and your areas of interest.

My background is in science and manufacturing industry. As a graduate of the University of Sheffield (geology) the Guild and Ruskin’s links to the city provide a further aspect of shared experience. I am a lover of the great outdoors and wild places and have travelled extensively in the mountains of the UK, Europe and beyond. The importance of preserving the natural landscape is something that I feel strongly about, and this is well-aligned with Ruskin’s beliefs and priorities. I have a particular interest in British mineralogy and the history thereof and have published three books about different aspects of British mineralogy. I have been a lifelong collector of minerals (as was Ruskin) and developed an interest in Ruskin’s mineral collection whilst researching a book about the famous mineralogist and mineral collector Sir Arthur Russell (see https://britishmineralogy.com/wordpress/ ). The research for that project caused me to visit Brantwood where I met Howard Hull and my interest in Ruskin stems from that interaction.

Why did you become a Companion of the Guild?

I am working on a book about Ruskin’s interest in mineralogy and have researched his mineralogical activities in depth. I am probably more familiar with his mineral collections and the people associated therewith than anybody else. Through studying this aspect of his life and trying to relate his collecting and educational activities to other parts of his long and busy life I have come to have a considerable affinity with his interests and ideas.

Web link: britishmineralogy.com/wordpress

Email address: roy.starkey@gmail.com