Kentish Express Ashford & District
Blue plaque for historian and TV presenter Clark
Author best known for epic series Civilisation
The former Kent home of an art historian and TV presenter has been commemorated with a blue plaque.
Sir Kenneth Clark, best known for the 1969 TV series Civilisation, lived in Saltwood Castle near Hythe with his family after buying it in 1953. He later passed it onto his son, MP Alan Clark.
He was the youngest ever Director of the National Gallery, and shortly afterwards, Keeper of the King’s Pictures too.
He was later appointed head of the Ministry of Information’s Films Unit, as well as Chairman of the Independent Television Authority, and made over 60 television programmes, setting the cultural agenda for British TV.
In 1966, David Attenborough, controller of BBC2, had an idea for a series on ‘the history of all the great things man had created’, through which to launch colour TV in Britain, and invited Clark to develop, write and narrate it.
In 1969, Civilisation was broadcast, telling the story of Western civilisation from the dark ages to 1914 through art and architecture. It was a huge success in both the UK and USA, propelling Clark to stardom.
Clark continued to make TV programmes into the 1970s. He died in 1983, aged 79, and is buried at Hythe.
An English Heritage London blue plaque has now been added to 30 Portland Place in Marylebone, London, Clark’s home during the 1930s.
The Grade II-listed property became a hub for artists and fashionable society during this time, with Sir Kenneth and his wife Jane hosting glittering parties attended by guests including Winston Churchill and Vanessa Bell.
Dr Rebecca Preston, Blue Plaques Historian at English Heritage, said: “Sir Kenneth Clark was not only a superb art historian and broadcaster, but also a curator, collector, patron, writer and campaigner.
“He was a consummate communicator and skilfully used film as a tool of mass communication - most notably in the landmark TV series Civilisation, which demonstrated his firm belief in access to the arts for all. We are delighted to honour him with this blue plaque.”
‘Sir Kenneth Clark was not only a superb art historian and broadcaster’