THE man who designed many 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 Birkenhead 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.
