Local Historian Gillian Clegg Dies

Contribution to local history and archivist work praised

The well-known Chiswick author, archivist and local historian, Gillian Clegg has died following a long illness.

Her most recent book is Brentford Through Time (2011), a comparison of photos of various locations around Brentford taken in the past and present. Brentford Past (2002) is one of the definitive historical guides to Brentford.

Gillian also wrote The Archaeology of Hounslow (1991), an account of the borough's history through its archaeological evidence.

She was the author of a number of books on Chiswick, the most recent 'Chiswick House and Gardens: A History' was published last year.

Other books included Chiswick Past (1995); The Chiswick Book (2004); Brentford and Chiswick Pubs (2005) and several articles on local history for a variety of publications. She also compiled a website chiswickhistory.org.uk.

The Director of Chiswick House and Gardens Trust, Sarah Finch-Crisp said: “All of us at Chiswick House and Gardens Trust are very sad to learn of Gill’s death and will remember her fondly. As a local historian and author she made a tremendous contribution to our knowledge and appreciation of Chiswick House and Gardens – especially through the publication of her most recent book ‘Chiswick House and Gardens A History’. As a volunteer in the Kitchen Garden Project in its early days and until very recently working as a Volunteer Archivist, Gill’s enthusiasm and contribution to Chiswick remains an inspiration. She will be much missed.“

Her publishers Armadillo Central, said: " We shall miss her incisive wit, her compassionate and sensitive yet razor sharp approach, her precision with words, her thorough attitude to research and her talent for instilling clarity and passion into even the driest of subjects."

Gillian Clegg had lived in Chiswick for thirty-five years and was also interested in archaeology. In 2010 she was honoured by the Mayor of Hounslow for creating an archive of documents and records relating to Chiswick House.

February 24, 2012