Charles Saumarez Smith

For other people named Saumarez Smith, see Saumarez Smith (disambiguation).

Sir Charles Saumarez Smith
Born (1954-05-28) 28 May 1954 (age 70)
Redlynch, Wiltshire, England
Occupation(s)Art historian and museum director
SpouseRomilly Le Quesne Savage
Children2
Websitecharlessaumarezsmith.com/blog

Sir Charles Robert Saumarez Smith CBE (born 28 May 1954) is a British cultural historian specialising in the history of art, design and architecture. He was the Secretary and Chief Executive of the Royal Academy of Arts in London from 2007 until he stepped down in 2018.[1] He was replaced by Axel Rϋger, who took up the position in 2019.[2][3]

He was previously director of the National Portrait Gallery from 1994 to 2002 and director of the National Gallery from 2002 to 2007. He has published various articles and books, including The Company of Artists:The Origins of the Royal Academy of Arts in London and was a judge at the World Architecture Festival 2014 in Singapore and the Young Masters 2014 awards in London.

Saumarez Smith was knighted in the 2018 Queen's Birthday Honours List.[4]

  1. ^ "Charles Saumarez Smith steps down from Royal Academy".
  2. ^ "Axel Rűger Appointed as New Secretary and Chief Executive of the Royal Academy of Arts" (PDF). Royal Academy of Arts. 13 February 2019.
  3. ^ Brown, Mark (13 February 2019). "Axel Rüger leaves van Gogh behind to head Royal Academy". The Guardian.
  4. ^ "Page B1 | Supplement 62310, 9 June 2018 | London Gazette | the Gazette".