For centuries lime was an essential ingredient in many aspects of life
and work - such as farming, building and manufacturing - and the kilns
in which lime was produced were a familiar sight across the country, not
just in areas where limestone naturally occurred. The importance given
to the industry is illustrated by the number of painters, notably Turner
and Girtin, who chose to paint lime kilns either as the main focus or as
an incidental element, and by the number of literary figures who brought
lime burning into their novels. Lime Kilns: History and Heritage starts
by discussing the uses and importance of lime, and how it has been
portrayed artistically, then describes how lime kilns changed over time,
from simple clamp kilns through small farmers' and estate field kilns to
large commercially operated kilns. It is illustrated with contemporary
and modern photographs, paintings and plans drawing on examples from
across Britain. David Johnson has published and lectured widely on lime
burning and is regarded as an authority on the subject.