David Rudkin obituary

My friend David Rudkin, who has died aged 78, was a museum curator and archaeologist who dedicated his career as director of Fishbourne Roman palace in West Sussex to widening knowledge about the Romans in Britain. His open and engaging character empowered him to spread understanding of Fishbourne - the largest Roman villa north of the Alps, with its incomparable mosaics.

David was born in Old Woodhouse, Leicestershire, the second child of Harry Rudkin, a gardener, and his wife, Lily (nee Measures). Harry's employment took the family in a peripatetic life to country estates across the Midlands, but, settled near Melton Mowbray, David passed the 11-plus exam to go to King Edward VII grammar school.