Arthur Negus
Encyclopedia
Arthur George Negus OBE was born in Reading
, Berkshire
, England
. He was a broadcaster
and antiques expert.
Negus's family has a long history in the antiques business, and Negus himself began running the family business when he was 17, following the death of his father. During World War II
he was an air-raid warden. He later joined Bruton, Knowles & Co., auctioneers of fine antiques based in Gloucester
. Amongst his young team there was Simon Bruton (son of Cecil), Quincey Hobbs, and Simon Chorley.
His broadcasting career began at the age of 62 when he appeared on the panel of the television series Going for a Song
(1966–1976) where he appraised antiques. He quickly became a household name as a result of his slow and distinctive West Country
mode of speech, which also made him popular with impersonators. He returned to television with Arthur Negus Enjoys (1982) and, especially, Antiques Roadshow
(1979–1983). He was mentioned in the 1970 Monty Python
"Election Night Special
" sketch.
Negus was appointed to the Order of the British Empire
in 1982. He died in 1985 at his home in Cheltenham
.
Reading, Berkshire
Reading is a large town and unitary authority area in England. It is located in the Thames Valley at the confluence of the River Thames and River Kennet, and on both the Great Western Main Line railway and the M4 motorway, some west of London....
, Berkshire
Berkshire
Berkshire is a historic county in the South of England. It is also often referred to as the Royal County of Berkshire because of the presence of the royal residence of Windsor Castle in the county; this usage, which dates to the 19th century at least, was recognised by the Queen in 1957, and...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. He was a broadcaster
Broadcasting
Broadcasting is the distribution of audio and video content to a dispersed audience via any audio visual medium. Receiving parties may include the general public or a relatively large subset of thereof...
and antiques expert.
Negus's family has a long history in the antiques business, and Negus himself began running the family business when he was 17, following the death of his father. During World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
he was an air-raid warden. He later joined Bruton, Knowles & Co., auctioneers of fine antiques based in Gloucester
Gloucester
Gloucester is a city, district and county town of Gloucestershire in the South West region of England. Gloucester lies close to the Welsh border, and on the River Severn, approximately north-east of Bristol, and south-southwest of Birmingham....
. Amongst his young team there was Simon Bruton (son of Cecil), Quincey Hobbs, and Simon Chorley.
His broadcasting career began at the age of 62 when he appeared on the panel of the television series Going for a Song
Going for a Song
Going for a Song was an antiques quiz show broadcast by the BBC from 1965-1977. It was a forerunner of the Antiques Roadshow. The original television series was hosted by presenter Max Robertson, with Arthur Negus appearing as the resident expert and antique valuer. The programmes were recorded...
(1966–1976) where he appraised antiques. He quickly became a household name as a result of his slow and distinctive West Country
West Country dialects
The West Country dialects and West Country accents are generic terms applied to any of several English dialects and accents used by much of the indigenous population of South West England, the area popularly known as the West Country....
mode of speech, which also made him popular with impersonators. He returned to television with Arthur Negus Enjoys (1982) and, especially, Antiques Roadshow
Antiques Roadshow
Antiques Roadshow is a British television show in which antiques appraisers travel to various regions of the United Kingdom to appraise antiques brought in by local people. It has been running since 1979...
(1979–1983). He was mentioned in the 1970 Monty Python
Monty Python
Monty Python was a British surreal comedy group who created their influential Monty Python's Flying Circus, a British television comedy sketch show that first aired on the BBC on 5 October 1969. Forty-five episodes were made over four series...
"Election Night Special
Election Night Special
"Election Night Special" is a Monty Python sketch parodying the coverage of United Kingdom general elections, specifically the 1970 general election, on the BBC by including hectic actions by the media and a range of ridiculous candidates....
" sketch.
Negus was appointed to the Order of the British Empire
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
in 1982. He died in 1985 at his home in Cheltenham
Cheltenham
Cheltenham , also known as Cheltenham Spa, is a large spa town and borough in Gloucestershire, on the edge of the Cotswolds in the South-West region of England. It is the home of the flagship race of British steeplechase horse racing, the Gold Cup, the main event of the Cheltenham Festival held...
.
Sources
- Anne Pimlott Baker, "Negus, Arthur George (1903–1985)", Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, 2004 accessed 16 September 2006