Search the Collection

Sir Henry Cole

(1808-1882), Civil servant

Early Victorian Portraits Catalogue Entry

Sitter in 5 portraits
At fifteen he began work at the Public Record Office. He became assistant keeper and helped reform the organisation and preservation of the British national archives. Interested in industrial design, he designed and produced a number of items under the pseudonym Felix Summerly, including a prize-winning teapot made by Minton. In 1848, Cole proposed a Great Exhibition. It opened in 1851 and was a resounding triumph, featuring 'art applied to industry'. In 1852, the Board of Trade set up a Department of Practical Art with Cole as secretary; in this capacity he formed the nucleus of the Victoria and Albert Museum.

Explore the portrait of Sir Henry Cole by Sir Joseph Boehm (NPG 865) from all angles

1 Like voting
is closed

Thanks for Liking

Please Like other favourites!
If they inspire you please support our work.

Make a donation Close

ListThumbnail

Comments back to top

We are currently unable to accept new comments, but any past comments are available to read below.

If you need information from us, please use our Archive enquiry service . Please note that we cannot provide valuations. You can buy a print or greeting card of most illustrated portraits. Select the portrait of interest to you, then look out for a Buy a Print button. Prices start at around £6 for unframed prints, £16 for framed prints. If you wish to license an image, select the portrait of interest to you, then look out for a Use this image button, or contact our Rights and Images service. We digitise over 8,000 portraits a year and we cannot guarantee being able to digitise images that are not already scheduled.

Selina Ogilvy

07 February 2021, 18:37

He’s my Great great great grandfather and I’m very proud of his achievements