Joan Du Plat Taylor (1906–1983)[1] was one of the first maritime archaeologists.
Her parents were Colonel St.John Louis Hyde du Plat Taylor and Alice Home-Purves and her grandfather was Colonel John Lowther du Plat Taylor CB VD (1829 – March 5, 1904)
She campaigned to bring nautical archaeology into the academic fold. She was instrumental in establishing the Council for Nautical Archaeology[2] and was founder editor of the International Journal of Nautical Archaeology (IJNA) from 1972-1980. She also recognised that amateurs could play an important role in archaeology and established systems to educate and encourage them. She was the first president of the Nautical Archaeology Society.[3]
She personally funded a grant to support publication of nautical archaeological research. Since her death, the award has continued to be given by the Nautical Archaeology Society as the Joan du Plat Taylor Award.