Sir Robert 'Robin' Darwin, CBE, RA, RSA, PRWA, NEAC

British 1910 – 1974

Sir Robert ‘Robin’ Darwin was a painter born in London in 1910, a great-grandson of the naturalist Charles Darwin. His artistic acumen was recognised in his first year at Eton College, having won the Drawing Prize at age 14. Darwin attended Cambridge University in 1928, but left after one term to study at the Slade School of Fine Art instead. Here he produced fine landscapes as well as portrait paintings.

In 1933, he was offered a post as Second Drawing Master at Eton, Darwin became a popular drawing master, and transformed the drawing schools and the reputation of art at Eton. However, he resigned in 1938 to focus on his own painting. During the Second World War, Darwin designed camouflage in the Ministry of Home Security.

He returned to teaching, and served as Professor of Fine Art at the University of Durham. In 1947, Darwin answered an advertisement for the post of Principal at the Royal College of Art, London and, from 1948 onwards, he set about transforming the College in every way. Darwin later became Rector and Vice-Provost between 1948-1971, and his list of graduates included David Hockney, Zandra Rhodes and Quentin Blake.

In 1954, Darwin was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire and received a Knighthood in 1964, and was elected to the Royal Academy in 1971.