Dr Julian Litten
Founding APABE Member
6th November 1947 -19th October 2024
Julian Litten was arguably the pre-eminent historian of medieval and later funerary practices and traditions in Britain. His many publications on the subject form key points of reference for anyone seriously interested in understanding the cultural, religious, philosophical and also practical underpinnings of the ways in which British people have treated their dead since the Middle Ages. Julian’s excellent book The English Way of Death remains the seminal work on the subject as well as an enjoyable and highly interesting read.
As one of the founding members of APABE Julian served on the panel for over 20 years. Throughout this time Julian always contributed wise perspectives in a thoughtful, measured, and erudite manner. His incisive and well considered thoughts and knowledge were invaluable on a great many occasions, guiding the panel’s judgement in producing advice, guidance and publications.
We were greatly saddened at the news of Julian’s death and are grateful for all he did as an APABE member. Julian was adamant that he did not want an obituary and so this piece should not be seen as such, although excellent obituaries have appeared elsewhere, including the Telegraph. Instead, we are pleased to share the following comments, distilled from panel members recollections.
• A great and knowledgeable character and a wonderful man whose expertise and wise counsel will be greatly missed.
• I have to admit to feeling very privileged to have known him, and benefited from his thoughts and frankly wonderful attitude to both life and death. Panache and style at all times.
• Splendidly unique in so many ways. RIP Julian.
• A man of strong views, carefully and precisely voiced, whose knowledge will be missed.
• I shall remember various contacts with Julian over the last three decades for their committed expertise garnished with humour reflecting the matter in hand. Irreplaceable!
• He was a unique chap, a delight to spend time with, always informative & generous in sharing his extensive knowledge and experience in a well phrased and often entertaining fashion. He will, indeed, be missed.
• So very sad with the passing of Julian who was a remarkable person and wonderful character. I am very grateful that in being part of APABE I was able to have the great fortune to have experienced his formidable knowledge and superb wit.
• When we were setting up APABE (or APACBE as it then was), Julian’s was one of the first names we thought of to join our new panel. We thought of him for his expertise on post-med burials, but of course he brought so much more to our meetings. I will always recall his ability to sum things up in a pithy phrase. For our 2013 publication, having come up with the rather ponderous subtitle ‘A guideline for the destructive sampling of archaeological human remains for scientific analysis’, I was searching unproductively for a snappier main title. Julian suggested: why don’t you simply call it ‘Science and the Dead’?
• A tremendous loss to the field and to APABE – whilst Julian’s dry wit was priceless.
We will miss Julian greatly.
To echo his own words “May he rest in peace and rise in glory”