David M. Wilson

Sir David Mackenzie Wilson, FBA (born 30 October 1931) is a British archaeologist, art historian, and museum curator, specialising in Anglo-Saxon art and the Viking Age. From 1977 until 1992 he served as the Director of the British Museum, where he had previously worked, from 1955 to 1964, as an assistant keeper. In his role as director of the museum, he became embroiled in the controversy over the ownership of the Elgin Marbles with the Greek government, engaging with a "disastrous" televised debate with Greek Minister of Culture Melina Mercouri.^[1]

Education

Wilson was born on 30 October 1931 in

From 1977 to 1992 Wilson served as the Director of the British Museum, where he was the seventeenth person to hold that distinction since its 1753 founding.^[2] He had previously worked there from 1955 to 1964 as an assistant keeper, after which he worked at the University of London.^[2] There he was Reader from 1964 to 1971, and a professor of medieval archaeology from 1971 to 1976;^[2] from 1973 he was also the joint head of the department of Scandinavian studies at University College London.

During his time as Director, from 1985 to 1986 Wilson was

Wilson has written extensively on the subject of the Anglo-Saxons and Vikings, as well as the British Museum itself.^[2][4] In 1960 he published The Anglo-Saxons,^[5] and in 1970 was praised for The Viking Achievement, written with Peter Foote and focused on the daily life, social customs, religion, art, trade, law, and poetry of Scandinavian society from 800 to 1200 AD.^[2] He also published Viking Art in 1966, The Vikings and Their Origins in 1970, and Anglo-Saxon Art: From the Seventh Century to the Norman Conquest in 1984.^[2]

1983 television debate with Melina Mercouri

In his role as Director of the British Museum, Wilson had a televised debate in 1983 with Greek actress and Minister of Culture Melina Mercouri. This was widely seen as a public relations disaster for the British Museum.^[1] The Parthenon Marbles had been removed from the Parthenon by agents of Lord Elgin after ostensibly obtaining permission from the Ottoman Sultan. The debate had been cited a defining moment for the campaign for restitution of the marbles to Athens, which now has wide international support from organisations such as UNESCO as well as support from the majority of the British public.^[6]

Awards and honours

Wilson has received many awards and honours throughout his professional life. In 1977 he received the Order of the Polar Star, a Swedish order of chivalry. The following year the University of Gothenburg honoured him with the Félix Neubergh Prize, and in the 1984 New Year Honours, he was knighted.^[7] The Society of Antiquaries of London awarded Wilson a gold medal in 1992.^[2]

Wilson has also received a number of

Wilson lives on the Isle of Man.^[9] He married Eva Sjoegren, an author and artist, in 1955, and has two children, Simon and Kate.^[2]

Publications

• 1964. Anglo-Saxon Ornamental Metalwork 700–1100, in the British Museum,
  British Museum Press.^[10]
• 1970. The Vikings and their Origins: Scandinavia in the first millennium,
  Thames and Hudson
  .
• Wilson, David M. (1980). The Northern World: The History and Heritage of Northern Europe AD 400—1100. London: Thames and Hudson, Ltd.
  ISBN 978-0-500-25070-9
  . (US edition: Harry N. Abrams, Inc, Publishers, 1980.)
• Wilson, David M. (1983). "Sweden – England". In
  ISBN 978-91-7192-547-3
  .
• Wilson, David M. (1984). Anglo-Saxon Art: From the Seventh Century to the Norman Conquest. London: Thames and Hudson. (US edition: Overlook Press)
• Wilson, David M. (1986). "England and the Continent in the Eighth Century – An Archaeological Viewpoint". Angli e Sassoni al di qua e al di là del mare: 26 aprile-lo maggio 1984. Settimane di studio del Centro italiano di studi sull'alto Medioevo. Vol. XXXII. Spoleto: Centro italiano di studi sull'alto Medioevo. pp. 219–244.
• 1992. Anglo-Saxon Paganism, Routledge.^[11]
• Wilson, David M. (2002). The British Museum: A History. London: British Museum Press.
  ISBN 0-7141-2764-7
  .

• Wilson, David M. (1 November 1974). "Excavating East Anglia". Medieval History. The Times Literary Supplement. No. 3, 791. London. p. 1233.

See also

• List of directors of the British Museum

References