Maxwell Craven MBE, FSA, AMA was educated in the West Country and took a degree in history and education at the University of Nottingham followed by further qualifications, in Roman history and museum studies at Leicester, embarking on a 25 year career at Derby Museum, for 18 of them as Keeper of Antiquities. He has been awarded an honorary degree by the University of Derby (1996) and went on to be awarded MBE and elected FSA, both in 1999. He is a former chairman of Derby Conservation Area Advisory Committee (2006-2009), a member of Derby Cathedral Fabric Advisory Committee (of which he was archaeologist 1982-1999, he is a member of the Council of the Derbyshire Historic Buildings Trust, and is a Trustee of the Derby Bridge Chapel. He is the author of several books, the latest being Magnus Maximus: The Neglected Roman Emperor and his British Legacy