Known as the author of the definitive work on John Dickinson, ‘The Endless Web’, Joan Evans has her own illustrious story. Born in 1893, she was the last child of John Evans, nephew of John Dickinson and his third wife, Maria Millington. Joan was therefore much younger than her half-siblings, was born and spent her childhood at Nash Mills House. She largely lived in the nursery with nanny on the top floor, the mill was her backyard, she witnessed the expansion of the paper industry started by ‘Grandfather John’, strengthened and expanded by her father. She witnessed the many illustrious visitors that came to dine Nash House. In her memoire ‘Prelude and Fugue’ Joan records an occasion where Captain Scott (of the Antarctic) had come to see her father, then Treasurer of the Royal Society and joined the family in teaching her to play bridge.

Joan had her own illustrious career and was amongst the first group of women to be awarded a degree. Her interests were in English and French Medieval art, especially early modern and medieval jewellery.  She authored a total of 19 books on her subject and her personal collection of jewellery was donated to the Victoria and Albert Museum. Joan lectured widely on her subject.

She was also the first female president of The Society of Antiquities, a position that both her father and her half-brother had held before her. She was awarded the society’s gold medal in 1973. At various times she was president of the Royal Archaeological Institute; fellow of the Royal Historical Society and the Royal Society of Literature; DLitt, London and Oxford, honorary LLD, Edinburgh, honorary LittD, Cambridge and honorary FRIBA. She was appointed a Dame of the British Empire in 1976.  She died in 1977.