Joan Wake

Joan Wake CBE (29 February 1884 – 15 January 1974) was an English historian and archival activist, with a particular interest in the history and records of her native Northamptonshire. She led a successful campaign to save Delapré Abbey from destruction.

Background Joan Wake was born at Courteenhall, a daughter of Sir Hereward Wake, 12th baronet, and his wife, Catherine St Aubyn, daughter of Sir Edward St Aubyn, 1st Baronet and sister of John St Aubyn, 1st Baron St Levan.

In 1918, she became a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society, and two years later was one of the founders of the Northamptonshire Record Society. Her activities during the rest of her life focused on promoting the preservation, safe custody and publication of the records of Northamptonshire.

As General Editor of the volumes of historical texts published by the Northamptonshire Record Society from 1924 to 1964, she composed prefaces or indexes to eight volumes.

Death and burial Wake died in 1974 in a Northampton nursing home and is buried at Courteenhall church.