NEW PRESIDENT OF THE ROYAL ACADEMY

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 166, 8 April 1919, Page 10

NEW PRESIDENT OF THE ROYAL ACADEMY

Sill ASTON WEBB ELECTED. Sir Aston Webb, the eminent architect, has been elected to succeed Sir Edward J. I'oynter (resigned) as president of. tho Academy. The choice of an architect may lead many people to think (says the "Morning Post") that tho Academicians have established another new precedent, and in one- way this conclusion would bo right. In the approved enrolmont list of lioyal Academy presidents there is certainly no architect's name, although James Wyatt, who designed, among other buildings, the Royal Military Academy at Woolwich and Fonthill Abbey, vaa actually elected to iill tho presidential ohnir in 1805. /Die vacancy then created was caused by Benjamin West's resignation, partly owing to his belief that he "had made a fool of himself" by lauding Bonaparte "to the skies" after the Peace of Amiens. Wyatt's election, however, was never formally approved by George 111, and in 18(l(! West was reinstated. So niiicli for past history, As for tho future, thoso who know Sir Aston Webb feel assured that his eloction will not only add to tho popularity of the Academy, but also increase ita authority as the body officially representing art in England. Hitherto, m tho opinion of divers people, the Academy has neglected architecture, regarding it,' ne. far as tho annual exhibitions at Burling-, ton House are concerned, as the CinderelU of the Arts. Architectural drawings in these- exhibitions are relegated to one room, which-in the past has been mainly frequented on Press days by art critics in order quietly to eat a sandwich lunch, and on ordinary days by visitors to the exhibition as a place of rest from .the weary round of pictures and statuary in the larger galleries. Tho new president, no doubt, will do his utmost to remedy this treatment of the greatest of the arts, and to remove the taunt that in England nowadays we have architects but no creative architecture. Sir Aston's - ( owiv work at its best helps to nullify, this -sarcastic reproach, and his genial tactfulness and business ability should be of great-service to him in his efforts on behalf of the Royal Academy in general a-nd architecture in particular. > Son of Edward/Webb, engraver ind water-colour panter, Sir Aston was born in London in 1849, and was articled to Messrs. Banks and Barry in 18GG. Seven years later he began to practise on Ms own account, and at the same time he exhibited drawings of Continental churches at the Royal Academy. This,training was useful to him in tho restoration work which he has successfully carried out, notably of tho'Ljidy Chapel of St. Bartholomew's Church. Among his latest achievements are the designs for tho site and architecture of tho monument to Queen Victoria in the Mall, and tho Victoria and Albert Museum, the handsome interior of which makes some amends for the much criticised exterior. He was elected an Associate of the Royal Academy in 1899, an Academician in 1903, and was knighted the following joar. The Eoyal Gold Medal for Architecture was awarded Sir Aston in 1905, and a similar American medal in 1907.