Seeing the fine pre-first world war portrait by Henry Lamb RA on the Offer Waterman stand at Frieze Masters reminded me that my predecessor but five was Sir Walter Lamb, who took office as Secretary of the Royal Academy in 1913 and served until 1951, service of very nearly forty years, through two world wars. He was born in Adelaide, the son of Sir Horace Lamb FRS, a pure mathematician who became Professor of Mathematics in Manchester in 1885. In his youth, he was a friend of Clive Bell, in love with Virginia Woolf and rejected as a suitor. Bespectacled and bald and author of a book about the history of the Royal Academy published after his retirement, Walter Lamb was, I assume, an effective administrator because it was in the 1920s that the Royal Academy began its programme of major international exhibitions. He was Henry Lamb’s older brother.
| Charles | Saumarez | Smith | 
I’m so glad I found your blog. It’s wonderful for someone who lives in such a culturally isolated place to be able to see all these beautiful things online. I am a dedicated Bloomsbury fan (we come to London every year and always stay at the Tavistock where we regularly walk past the bust of Virginia, and her house round the corner) so thank you also for the notes about Walter Lamb
Glad you’re a follower ! Charles
I am looking forward to an exhibition of Henry Lamb’s work next summer at the Salisbury Museum – the year after they are holding an exhibition of August John’s work as well. I hope that they both get more exposure in the way that Ravilious has recently enjoyed.
I see your portrait are still in summer garb – its a bit damp and cold for that here in Wiltshire!
Regards
Susie
I’m delighted that Salisbury Museum are doing a Henry Lamb exhibition – long overdue and appropriate as he lived in Combe Bissett (and loved Dorelia John). Charles