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In 1919 Dr Alexander Scott, a past president of the Chemical Society, was asked by the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research to conduct an inquiry into the condition of antiquities at the British Museum stored underground during the First World War. On his recommendation, in 1920 a scientific laboratory was set up, initially on a temporary basis. This became part of the Museum in 1931, headed by Scott until 1938. A small team carried out scientific study of ancient materials and their reactions to various environmental conditions, and methods of preservation and restoration were evolved. From this developed today’s Department of Conservation and Scientific Research, one of the oldest and largest conservation facilities in the world.
Title
Dr Alexander Scott (1853–1947), First Head of the Research Laboratory
Date
1930s
Medium
oil on canvas
Measurements
H 90 x W 98 cm
Accession number
Painting.70
Acquisition method
gift from Dr Harold James Plenderleith
Work type
Painting
British Museum
Great Russell Street, London, Greater London WC1B 3DG England
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