A NORTH-East clergyman and archaeologist will be honoured this weekend.

A plaque will be unveiled commemorating the life of William Greenwell at 27 North Bailey, in Durham City, where he lived for many years.

Dr Greenwell was born near Lanchester, County Durham, in 1820. He studied at Durham School and twice at Durham University, was ordained a priest in 1846 and appointed a canon of Durham Cathedral in 1854.

His family estate of Greenwell Ford included the ancient Roman fort of Longovicium and he quickly became interested in archaeology, founding the Tyneside Naturalists’ Field Club.

In 1864, he became president of the Architectural and Archaeological Society of Durham and Northumberland, serving for more than 50 years.

He was responsible for bringing together the collection of Anglo-Saxon and Medieval sculptures in the Cathedral’s Monks’ Dormitory, led excursions to sites of historic interest and argued against the destruction of historic buildings and inappropriate restoration projects.

Dr Greenwell died in 1918. The society he led is celebrating its 150th anniversary this year with a series of lectures, a conference and special dinner.

For more information, visit dur.ac.uk/archandarch.dandn