List of keepers of the British Museum explained

The keepers are heads of the various departments of the British Museum. They are professional curators and related academics. There are currently nine departments plus the Portable Antiquities Scheme that have keepers.

Keepers of Africa, Oceania and the Americas

The Keeper of Africa, Oceania and the Americas is head of the Department of Africa, Oceania and the Americas (Department of Ethnography until 2004).

• 1953–1969: Adrian Digby^[1]
• 1969–1974: William Buller Fagg
• 1974–1990: Malcolm McLeod^[2]
• 1991–2004: John Mack^[3]
• 2005-2012: J. C. H. King
• 2012–present: Lissant Bolton^[4]

Keepers of Egypt and Sudan

The Keeper of Egypt and Sudan is head of the Department of Egypt and Sudan (formerly Department of Egyptian and Assyrian Antiquities, Department of Egyptian Antiquities, and Department of Ancient Egypt and Sudan).

• 1893–1924: E. A. Wallis Budge
• 1924–1930: Henry Hall
• 1931–1948: Sidney Smith^[5]
• 1948–1955: C. J. Gadd
• 1955–1974: I. E. S. Edwards
• 1974–1988: T. G. H. James
• 1988–2011: Vivian Davies^[6]
• 2012–2021: Neal Spencer^[7]
• 2021–present: Daniel Antoine

Keepers of Asia

The Keeper of Asia is head of the Department of Asia (until 2003, the Department of Oriental Antiquities).

• 1946–1969: Basil Gray
• 1969–1977 Douglas Barrett
• 1977–1987 Lawrence Smith
• 1987–1994: Jessica Rawson
• 1994–2006: Robert Knox
• 2006–2014: Jan Stuart
• 2014–present: Jane Portal^[8]

Keepers of Japanese Antiquities

The Keeper of Japanese Antiquities was head of the Department of Japanese Antiquities. That department merged with the Department of Oriental Antiquities to form the Department of Asia.

• 1987–1997: Lawrence R. H. Smith^[9]
• 1997–2003: Victor Harris^[10]

Keepers of Britain, Europe and Prehistory

The Keeper of Britain, Europe and Prehistory is the head of the Department of Britain, Europe and Prehistory (previously known as the Department of Europe and Prehistory)

• 2003–2007: Leslie Webster
• 2012–2015: Roger Bland
• 2015–present: Jill Cook

Keepers of British and Medieval Antiquities

The Keeper of British and Medieval Antiquities was the head of the Department of British and Medieval Antiquities (Department of British and Medieval Antiquities and Ethnography until 1921).

• • • 1866–1896: Augustus Wollaston Franks 1896–1921: Sir Charles Hercules Read 1921–1928: Ormonde Maddock Dalton

Keepers of Prehistoric and Romano-British Antiquities

The Keeper of Prehistoric and Romano-British Antiquities was head of the Department of Prehistoric and Romano-British Antiquities. The department was created from the Department of British and Medieval Antiquities in 1969.^[11]

• 1973–1995: Ian Heaps Longworth^[12]
• 1995–2000: Timothy W. Potter

Keepers of Medieval and Later Antiquities

The Keeper of Medieval and Later Antiquities was head of the Department of Medieval and Later Antiquities. The department was created from the Department of British and Medieval Antiquities in 1969.

• 1975–1998: Neil Stratford^[13]

Keepers of Coins and Medals

The Keeper of Coins and Medals is head of the Department of Coins and Medals.

• 1861–1870: William Sandys Wright Vaux
• 1870–1893: Reginald Stuart Poole
• 1893–1906: Barclay V. Head
• 1906–1912: Herbert Appold Grueber^[14]
• 1912–1931: George Francis Hill
• 1931–1949: John Allan
• 1949–1952: Stanley Robinson^[15]
• 1952–1964: John Walker^[16]
• 1965–1978: G. Kenneth Jenkins
• 1978–1983: Robert Carson
• 1983–1990: John Kent
• 1990–1992: Mark Jones
• 1992–2003: Andrew Burnett
• 2003–2010: Joe Cribb
• 2010–2020: Philip Attwood^[17]
• 2020–2022: Jane Portal; Acting Keeper
• 2022-present: Tom Hockenhull

Keepers of Conservation

The Keeper of Conservation and Scientific Research is head of the Department of Conservation and Scientific Research.

• 1975–1979: Harold Barker;^[18] Keeper of Conservation and Technical Services
• 1979 - 1981: Michael W. Pascoe, Keeper of Conservation
• 1985–2002: Andrew Oddy; Keeper of Conservation
• 2002–2005: Sheridan Bowman;^[19] Keeper of Conservation, Documentation and Science
• 2005–2015: David Saunders;^[20] Keeper of Conservation and Scientific Research
• 2015-present: Carl Heron

Keepers of Greece and Rome

The Keeper of Greece and Rome is head of the Department of Greece and Rome. It was formerly known as the Keeper of Greek and Roman Antiquities.

• 1861–1885: Charles Thomas Newton
• 1886–1904: Alexander Stuart Murray
• 1904–1909: Cecil Harcourt Smith
• 1909–1925: Arthur Smith
• 1925–1932: Henry Beauchamp Walters
• 1932–1936: John Forsdyke
• 1936–1939: Frederick N. Pryce
• 1939–1956: Bernard Ashmole
• 1956–1976: D. E. L. Haynes^[21]
• 1976–1993: Brian Cook^[22]
• 1993–2007: Dyfri Williams
• 2007–2023: Lesley Fitton^[23]
• 2023-present: Thomas Harrison^[24]

Keepers of the Middle East

The Keeper of the Middle East is head of the Department of the Middle East (formerly Department of Western Asiatic Antiquities, then Department of Ancient Near East).

• 1955–1974: Richard David Barnett
• 1974–1983: Edmond Sollberger^[25]
• 1985–1989: Terence Croft Mitchell^[26]
• 1989–2011: John Curtis^[27]
• Jonathan N. Tubb^[28]
• Current: Paul Collins^[29]

Keepers of Portable Antiquities and Treasure

Keeper of Portable Antiquities and Treasure is head of the Department of Portable Antiquities and Treasure, and head of the Portable Antiquities Scheme.

• 2005–2013: Roger Bland^[30]

Keepers of Prints and Drawings

The Simon Sainsbury Keeper of Prints and Drawings is head of the Department of Prints and Drawings.

• 1833–1836: William Young Ottley
• 1836–1845: Henry Josi^[31]
• 1845–1866: William Hookham Carpenter
• 1866–1883: George William Reid^[32]
• 1883–1912: Sidney Colvin
• 1912–1932: Campbell Dodgson
• 1933–1945: Arthur Mayger Hind
• 1945–1954: Arthur E. Popham
• 1954–1973: Edward Croft-Murray
• 1973–1981: John Gere^[33]
• 1981–1991: John Rowlands^[34]
• 1991–2011: Antony Griffiths
• 2011–present: Hugo Chapman^[35]

Notes and References

1. Web site: Adrian Digby (Biographical details) . British Museum . 23 February 2019.
2. Web site: Biography of Malcolm McLeod . The University of Glasgow Story . University of Glasgow . 23 February 2019.
3. Book: Mack, Prof. (Brian) John . . Oxford University Press . 24 February 2019 . 1 December 2018. 10.1093/ww/9780199540884.013.U25799 . 978-0-19-954088-4 .
4. Web site: Lissant Bolton . British Museum . 23 February 2019.
5. Assyriology at the British Museum: Dr. Sidney Smith, F.B.A . Nature . 1 October 1948 . 162 . 4121 . 645 . 10.1038/162645b0 . 1948Natur.162R.645. . en . 1476-4687. free .
6. Book: Davies, (William) Vivian . . Oxford University Press . 23 February 2019 . 1 December 2018. 10.1093/ww/9780199540884.013.U13143 . 978-0-19-954088-4 .
7. Web site: Neal Spencer . British Museum . 23 February 2019.
8. Web site: Jane Portal . British Museum . 23 February 2019.
9. Web site: Lawrence R H Smith (Biographical details) . British Museum . 24 February 2019.
10. Book: Harris, (Terence) Victor . . Oxford University Press . 24 February 2019 . 1 December 2018. 10.1093/ww/9780199540884.013.U19219 . 978-0-19-954089-1 .
11. Piggott . Stuart . Prehistoric and Roman Studies. Commemorating the opening of the Department of Prehistoric and Romano-British Antiquities. Edited by G. de G. Sieveking. xii + 282 pages, 68 figures and tables, 91 plates. London, The British Museum, 1971. Price £2. . Proceedings of the Prehistoric Society . December 1972 . 38 . 454 . 10.1017/S0079497X00012469. 163634008 .
12. Book: Longworth, Ian Heaps . . Oxford University Press . 24 February 2019 . 1 December 2018. 10.1093/ww/9780199540884.013.U24919 . 978-0-19-954088-4 .
13. Web site: Stratford, Neil . The Dictionary of Art Historians . 24 February 2019 . en . 21 February 2018.
14. Book: Grueber, Herbert Appold . . Oxford University Press . 24 February 2019 . 1 December 2007. 10.1093/ww/9780199540884.013.U197302 . 978-0-19-954089-1 .
15. Web site: Sir Edward Stanley Gotch Robinson . . British Museum . 10 August 2021.
16. Book: Walker, John . . Oxford University Press . 24 February 2019 . 1 December 2007. 10.1093/ww/9780199540884.013.U54997 . 978-0-19-954089-1 .
17. Web site: Philip Attwood . Numismatic Who's Who . CoinsWeekly . 23 February 2019.
18. Book: Barker, Harold . . Oxford University Press . 24 February 2019 . 1 December 2016. 10.1093/ww/9780199540884.013.U6481 . 978-0-19-954089-1 .
19. Book: Bowman, Dr Sheridan Gail Esther . . Oxford University Press . 24 February 2019 . 1 December 2018. 10.1093/ww/9780199540884.013.U8324 . 978-0-19-954088-4 .
20. Book: Saunders, David . . Oxford University Press . 24 February 2019 . 1 December 2018. 10.1093/ww/9780199540884.013.U245519 . 978-0-19-954088-4 .
21. News: Obituary: D. E. L. Haynes . 24 February 2019 . The Independent . 6 October 1994 . en.
22. Book: Cook, Brian Francis . . Oxford University Press . 23 February 2019 . 1 December 2018. 10.1093/ww/9780199540884.013.U11699 . 978-0-19-954089-1 .
23. Web site: J Lesley Fitton . British Museum . 23 February 2019.
24. Web site: Greece and Rome .
25. Book: Sollberger, Edmond . . Oxford University Press . 24 February 2019 . 1 December 2007. 10.1093/ww/9780199540884.013.U169272 . 978-0-19-954089-1 .
26. Book: Mitchell, Terence Croft . . Oxford University Press . 24 February 2019 . 1 December 2018. 10.1093/ww/9780199540884.013.U27732 . 978-0-19-954088-4 .
27. Book: Curtis, John Edward . . Oxford University Press . 23 February 2019 . 1 December 2018. 10.1093/ww/9780199540884.013.U12627 . 978-0-19-954088-4 .
28. Web site: Jonathan N. Tubb . British Museum . 23 February 2019.
29. Web site: Middle East: Staff . www.britishmuseum.org . British Museum . 21 March 2024 . en.
30. Book: Bland, Dr Roger Farrant . . Oxford University Press . 10.1093/ww/9780199540884.013.U257974 . 978-0-19-954088-4 . 23 February 2019 . en .
31. Book: Wilson, David. The British Museum: A History. British Museum Press. 2002. London. 387.
32. Book: Wilson, David. The British Museum: A History. British Museum Press. 2002. London. 390.
33. News: Obituary: John Gere . 24 February 2019 . The Independent . 6 February 1995 . en.
34. News: John Rowlands, art historian – obituary . 24 February 2019 . The Telegraph . 1 June 2016.
35. Web site: Hugo Chapman . British Museum . 23 February 2019.