Norman Moorsom will be granted the Honorary Freedom of the Borough of Middlesbrough at an Extraordinary Meeting of Middlesbrough Council on Wednesday, July 16.
The historian and former teacher was nominated by fellow historian Dr Tosh Warwick who heads the Heritage Unlocked project.
Dr Warwick said: “Norman Moorsom is quite simply the most notable living historian of Middlesbrough.
“With publications on the town’s history to his name dating back to the 1960s, even now he continues to inspire those around him just as he has inspired generations of Teessiders.
“In recent years he has contributed to Discover Middlesbrough as well as work with Ageing Better Middlesbrough and successfully campaigned to mark the site of the now lost St. Hilda’s Parish Church.
“Making him a Freeman of our town is timely recognition of his work, and I know the people of Middlesbrough will welcome this richly deserved award.”
The granting of the award was unanimously approved by Middlesbrough Council at the Annual Meeting of full Council in May.
Middlesbrough Mayor Chris Cooke said: “The Freedom of the Borough is an award given to a small number of men and women whose contribution to the life of the town is as lasting as it is inspirational.
“In Middlesbrough we are proud of our heritage and history, and those stories need to researched, chronicled and treasured for future generations.
“Norman Moorsom has done that tirelessly for over 60 years, creating a body of work that tells the story of this remarkable place and the people who have made it what it is today.
“Granting him the Freedom of Middlesbrough is our way of saying thank you for a lifetime of work that will keep those stories alive for years to come.”
