TONY BURFIELD
A.B.P., M.I. Biol., C.I. Biol., M.I.F.S.T., F.L.S.
1946 - 2023
Anthony Graham Burfield was born July 7, 1946, in Tunbridge Wells, England. He passed away suddenly on May 17, 2023, in Tunbridge Wells. Tony spent most of his working life in the essential oil and related industries. He worked in the production, analysis, and applications of essential oils, which has often meant long periods working on-site overseas, such as Seychelles and Madagascar. Over the years, he worked for many major aroma concerns, such as H.E. Daniel, CPL, Robertet UK, Graham Page Ltd., and FPI, amongst others.
After qualifying as a food scientist, he returned to academia mid-career to do a further degree in biochemistry, followed by post-doctoral research in the microbiological biotransformation of essential oil components at Cranfield University (UK).
During his early life, he was an anti-nuclear protestor and a Friends of the Earth member. The majority of his adult life Tony spent in the fragrant materials industry. He worked as a consultant, using his direct experience of the aroma and related industries to help industrial clients with ideas, projects, and problems.
Tony lectured worldwide at scientific meetings, perfumery, and aromatherapy conferences. He wrote extensively on essential oil matters, including occasional articles for various flavour, fragrance, and aromatherapy journals. With his experience and continuous research, he started Cropwatch (no longer up), a site dedicated to referenced information on the origins and sustainability of aromatic plants to help industry personnel improve their technical knowledge of the aroma industry. He also tackled the EU regulatory committee on restricting natural perfume materials (Scientific Committee on Consumer Products) head-on in Brussels.
He helped change the aromatherapy industry toward safer use of essential oils when many aromatherapists had no idea of sensitization. He provided valuable scientific referenced materials first on his Cropwatch site, which later expanded into his major work, which has now helped thousands worldwide. Called "Natural Aromatic Materials – Odours and Origins, the First Edition was published in 2000 and the updated expanded Second Edition in 2016. This two-volume set was the first of its kind, replacing a 1960s text, giving an in-depth study of over 1000 entries of aromatic materials and their odours and technical inside information of the industry. This work will be used and cited for many years to come.
When the workaholic side of his nature could be abated, Tony's hobbies included rock music and jazz, walking, and travelling. In his own words, he fooled himself that he "could play pretty good bass guitar" and was a keen connoisseur of real ale, the consumption of which he always said was "an important feature of living a balanced and healthy life." Tony is survived by his three daughters, Phae and Corrina (former wife Janice Burfield, predeceased), Rosie (partner Kendra Kirkham), and his son Tristan Burfield (partner Nina Taylor). Family, friends, and colleagues will deeply miss him.
In memory of Tony Burfield by Sylla Sheppard-Hanger
