Hugh Casson

Hugh Casson was a prominent British architect, artist, and writer who played a defining role in the post-war cultural landscape of the United Kingdom. He is best remembered as the energetic Director of Architecture for the Festival of Britain in 1951, a role that showcased his talent for orchestration and popular design. His later career included serving as President of the Royal Academy and a prolific output as a watercolourist and author, leaving a lasting legacy across multiple creative disciplines.

Early life and education

Born in Kensington, he was the son of a commander in the Royal Navy. He received his education at Eastbourne College before matriculating to St John's College, Cambridge, where he read English literature. His path shifted towards architecture after graduation, leading him to study at the Bartlett School of Architecture under the tutelage of Albert Richardson. A pivotal moment came with winning the prestigious Rome Scholarship in Architecture, which allowed him to study at the British School at Rome, immersing himself in classical and Renaissance traditions that would later inform his eclectic style.

Architectural career

Casson established a private practice after the Second World War, though his most famous contribution was his official appointment as Director of Architecture for the Festival of Britain. In this role, he masterminded the layout and aesthetic of the South Bank Exhibition, collaborating with a generation of talented designers including Misha Black and James Gardner. His own architectural works, often modest in scale, included the design for the University of Cambridge's New Hall and the Elephant House at the London Zoo, noted for its pioneering use of concrete. He served as a professor at the Royal College of Art and was a partner in the firm Casson, Conder & Partners, which worked on projects like extensions to the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art.

Artistic work and publications

Beyond architecture, Casson was a gifted and prolific watercolourist, with his sketches and paintings of urban and rural scenes achieving great popularity. He served as the official artist for the Royal Family during several overseas tours, including visits to India and Nepal. His literary output was substantial, authoring and illustrating numerous books such as Hugh Casson's London and Hugh Casson's Cambridge. He also contributed illustrations to publications like the Radio Times and wrote regular columns for newspapers including The Sunday Times, making architectural commentary accessible to a wide public.

Public service and honours

Casson held significant public roles, most notably as President of the Royal Academy from 1976 to 1984, where he championed a more open and popular approach to the institution. He was knighted in the 1952 New Year Honours for his work on the Festival of Britain and was later appointed a Member of the Order of the Companions of Honour in 1985. He served on numerous advisory bodies, including the Royal Fine Art Commission and the Historic Buildings Council, and was a trustee of both the Victoria and Albert Museum and the British Museum.

Personal life and legacy

He married the architect and interior designer Margaret Troup in 1938, and they had three children together. The family lived for many years in Kensington and later maintained a cottage in Cambridgeshire. Casson passed away in London in 1999. His legacy is that of a consummate communicator and enabler who bridged the worlds of high art, public spectacle, and popular taste, influencing the perception of British design in the mid-20th century. His papers are held in the collections of the Royal Institute of British Architects.

Category:British architects Category:English watercolourists Category:Presidents of the Royal Academy Category:Companions of Honour Category:1910 births Category:1999 deaths