Benedict Read
Encyclopedia
Benedict William Read is an English art historian, the son of the eminent art critic and poet Sir Herbert Read. Usually known as Ben Read, he is the author of numerous books, essays and articles on nineteenth and twentieth-century art history
, and is probably the most authoritative writer on British Victorian sculpture alive today.
and then studied art history
at the Courtauld Institute of Art
in London. As well as teaching at the Courtauld Institute, he was Deputy Witt Librarian there until 1991, when he became Senior Lecturer in Art History at the University of Leeds
. In 2008 he was made Senior Fellow in Fine Art at the University of Leeds.
, chairperson of the editorial committee of the Sculpture Journal, former president of the Public Monuments and Sculpture Association
, and Chairperson of the Leeds Art Collections Fund
(the LACF) and a keen Arsenal supporter. He is also a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of London
.
Art history
Art history has historically been understood as the academic study of objects of art in their historical development and stylistic contexts, i.e. genre, design, format, and style...
, and is probably the most authoritative writer on British Victorian sculpture alive today.
Education and Employment
Read studied English Literature at the University of OxfordUniversity of Oxford
The University of Oxford is a university located in Oxford, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest surviving university in the world and the oldest in the English-speaking world. Although its exact date of foundation is unclear, there is evidence of teaching as far back as 1096...
and then studied art history
Art history
Art history has historically been understood as the academic study of objects of art in their historical development and stylistic contexts, i.e. genre, design, format, and style...
at the Courtauld Institute of Art
Courtauld Institute of Art
The Courtauld Institute of Art is a self-governing college of the University of London specialising in the study of the history of art. The Courtauld is one of the premier centres for the teaching of art history in the world; it was the only History of Art department in the UK to be awarded a top...
in London. As well as teaching at the Courtauld Institute, he was Deputy Witt Librarian there until 1991, when he became Senior Lecturer in Art History at the University of Leeds
University of Leeds
The University of Leeds is a British Redbrick university located in the city of Leeds, West Yorkshire, England...
. In 2008 he was made Senior Fellow in Fine Art at the University of Leeds.
Publications
Amongst his books are Victorian Sculpture and Pre-Raphaelite Sculpture, and he has contributed essays to numerous texts including the Albert Memorial, The Houses of Parliament, and The Edwardians: Secrets and Desires. An extremely important essay by Read on British sculpture between the first and second world wars appeared in 1986 in the volume Sculpture in Britain Between the Wars.Wider Interests
In addition, Benedict Read is external examiner for the Cyprus College of ArtCyprus College of Art
The Cyprus College of Art is a post-secondary art instutution located in the Mediterranean island of, Cyprus.-Academics:CyCA offers beginner courses in art, university-entrance programmes in art and design, bachelor degree equivalent programmes in Fine Art , and Master of Fine Art degrees at...
, chairperson of the editorial committee of the Sculpture Journal, former president of the Public Monuments and Sculpture Association
Public Monuments and Sculpture Association
The Public Monuments and Sculpture Association, or PMSA, was established in 1991 to bring together individuals and organisations with an interest in public sculptures and monuments, their production, preservation and history....
, and Chairperson of the Leeds Art Collections Fund
Leeds Art Collections Fund
The Leeds Art Collections Fund or LACF has been supporting the visual arts in Leeds since 1912. Founded by Frank Rutter, who was Director of the Leeds City Art Gallery at the time, with the support of the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Leeds, Michael Sadler, the LACF was established to...
(the LACF) and a keen Arsenal supporter. He is also a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of London
Society of Antiquaries of London
The Society of Antiquaries of London is a learned society "charged by its Royal Charter of 1751 with 'the encouragement, advancement and furtherance of the study and knowledge of the antiquities and history of this and other countries'." It is based at Burlington House, Piccadilly, London , and is...
.