My brother, Nicholas Molyneux, who has died aged 68 from heart problems, was an architectural historian known for the depth of his subject knowledge and his enthusiasm for historic buildings, in particular those in Worcestershire, Warwickshire, Herefordshire and Gloucestershire.
For much of his working career he was with English Heritage as principal inspector of historic buildings for the West Midlands, a job that involved him in many projects, including the rebuilding of the Royal Shakespeare theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon and the restoration of the gardens at Kenilworth Castle.
As a volunteer with the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust, he led research into their buildings and advised on the archaeology of various Shakespeare-related sites. Together with his colleague Stephen Price, he also rewrote a section of the Pevsner guide to notable buildings in Worcestershire, focusing on timber framing.
He contributed to BBC news reports as a historic buildings consultant and was even contacted about farm buildings by the makers of The Archers, his favourite radio programme. In addition he appeared as an expert on TV series, including Time Team, Animal Park and Countryfile.
Nick was born in Whitby, North Yorkshire, to Elizabeth (nee Staveley), a legal secretary, and her husband, Geoffrey, a teacher. He went to Hartlepool boys’ grammar school, and although he had originally intended to study mathematics at university, a sixth-form trip to an archaeological dig changed the course of his life by inspiring him to pursue what was to become his passion.
After gaining an archaeology degree from Birmingham University, his first job was at the York Archaeological Society’s excavation of Coppergate in York. He then went on to work first at the Commandery Museum in Worcester and then the Malvern Museum, before moving to Birmingham City Museum in 1976. For three years in the 1980s he was the listing inspector for the Worcestershire Relisting Scheme for historic buildings, before moving to English Heritage in 1990, working there until his retirement in 2023.
A larger than life character whose enthusiasm for his subject was infectious, Nick was a wonderful mix of absolute expert, jovial colleague and considered judge. He was always generous with his time, happy to help others with queries, big or small, and to discuss things at length to resolve any issues. His detailed knowledge of some of the buildings in his region was incredible, down to the tiniest of details.
Nick was an opera lover and spent many happy times at Glyndebourne, Longborough and Birmingham City Opera. He achieved a lifetime ambition when he became a member of the Bayreuth Opera festival and was able to celebrate his 60th birthday there.
He is survived by me, a nephew, Edward, and a niece, Catherine.
