Tancred Borenius | |
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Born | |
Died | September 2, 1948 | (aged 63)
Alma mater | University of Helsinki |
Occupation(s) | Art historian, diplomat |
Spouse | Anne-Marie Runeberg |
Children | Peter Borenius |
Parent | Carl Borenius & Olga Borenius |
Carl Tancred Borenius (14 July 1885, Vyborg – 2 September 1948, Coombe Bisset) was a Finnish art historian working in England, who became the first professor of the history of art at University College London. He was a prolific author, and recognised as one of the world's leading experts on Italian art of the early Renaissance.
Borenius also served as a diplomat liaising between Finland and Britain. It has been argued that during World War II he worked as a spy for the British MI6, and was instrumental in enticing Rudolf Hess to fly to Britain in 1941.