Liverpool and Wirral park designer Edward Kemp wins place in Oxford Dictionary of National Biography

Jun 3 2009 by Aaron Edwards, Birkenhead News

THE man who designed Birkenhead Park – one of the region’s best-loved parks and gardens – has been added to the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography.

Edward Kemp was involved in laying out the park with designer Joseph Paxton and acted as the park’s superintendent for 40 years.

Kemp’s other work included Flaybrick Cemetery, Stanley Park, Newsham Park, Anfield Cemetery and Hesketh Park in Southport.

The dictionary, published since 1885, describes individuals who have left their mark on British society. The online version, www.oxforddnb.com, is updated three times a year.

Professor Robert Lee, of the Friends of Birkenhead Park, said: “Edward Kemp played a crucial role in the history of the park, assisting Paxton in the lay-out and design, and going on to serve as superintendent. He deserves more recognition than he receives.”

According to the online biography, Paxton entrusted the development of Birkenhead Park to Kemp from 1843.

When the park was opened in 1847, both cricket and archery had been introduced and he oversaw the introduction of further sports, including football in 1861. Paid £1,000 a year for its maintenance, he lived in a lodge in the park with his wife, Sophia, so that he could manage and protect it.

In 1850, he produced the first of three editions of his book, How to Lay Out a Small Garden. Born in Surrey in 1817, he died in March, 1891, and was buried at Flaybrick.

Author and historian Elizabeth Davey, of Hoylake, has spent two years researching Kemp’s life and work.

She said: “Kemp’s style of gardening was overtaken by cottage gardening, which is why he has dipped out of many people’s consciousness.

“He was also a botanical journalist, which was quite a new thing then. In fact, he was almost like the Alan Titchmarsh of his day.”