New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-03-30


Who died at his home IN London yesterday
influence of J. Pierpont Morgan, the newly
elected president. This selection OF the art
director Of the South Kensington Museum
of London was looked upon "a move TO
place new emphasis on the educational
side Of the museum here. Il was Sir Pur-
dom belief that this phase Of the inst-
tuition was most important. During his
four years of work here he did his best
TO make the Metropolitan valuable 70 art
students and 20 the common people, as
we'll as to casual visitors.
Sir Purdon, son of Edward Marmaduke
Clarke. was born In London in 1916. he
vas a self-made man. Starting from
humble beginnings. in continuous connec-
ton with museum work Of ono kind or an
other since he vas graduated from the Ma
tonal Art Training School Of England.
about 800 he steadily advanced from one
place to another. until he succeeded Sir
Philip Cunline-Owen as director Of tho
South Kensington.
lie was educated as an architect in Eng
land and France. and entered tho National
Art Training School of England in 1862.
from which he was graduated with high
honors. He received a national medallion
FOR architectural design IN lsfj. and was
engaged under the English government in
preparing a set " plans for the houses 81
Parliament and in remodelling their warm
ing and ventilation appliance during the
next two wears. He was then transferred
10 the architectural works department OF
South Kersington Museum. and engaged
on drawings for the architectural courts
Of that museum and for the Bethnal Green
Museum I'm 1870 and 1871 he was engaged
in experimenting reproductions for the
museum in italy I'm 1872 he completed the
Church Of =. Mark al Alexandria.
buring the mex three wears he was en-
gagged in purchasing art objects for the
South Kersington Museum and in superin-
tending the building Of the various British
legations and consular buildings in East
ern countries. His travels i1cluded Russia.
Greece Turkey. Syria. Italy and Germany.
He was appointed architect 20 tho royal
commission for the Paris Exposition Of
1878 and agent FOR the government OF India
and received medals for art work. and the
decoration of the Legion OF Honor. I'm $50
he became directly connected with tho
Indian Department Of the South Kensing-
TON Museum. and spent tho following years
in India purchasing works Of art for this
department.
Upon his return from IN liza ne was sp-
pointed keeper OF this museum He re-
ceved the order Of the Indian Empire
In 1854 he visited America for the special
purpose IF investigating homes and dorui-
-. E. 81 al ~
turn built tho Alexandra House AZ Ken
sngton He was sent hy the British gov
eminent 10 India 10 arrange FOR the Colo
NAL and Indian Exhibition OF 1855. was
architect 10 the Indian AMI Chinese Art
Exhibition Of 1855 and 10 The Colonial and
indian Exhibition Of 1855. In lST he de-
signed ana built Lord Brassey's museum
He was architect 20 the British India Sec
ton Of the Paris Exposition ~ 1850 and
received a gold medal
From this time ha was continuously IN
tho service Of the South Kansington M
scum Re was first appointed keeper Of
Its art sections and became assistant art
director In 1891
When he arrived in New York I'm 1905 20
take charge Of the Metropolitan he an
nounced that a museum must 70 made at
tractive 10 the common people II believe
the Metropolitan viii some day be the
greatest museum of It's kind IN the world
lie said "It NAV take twenty years or
more 10 make IL so" He declared that he
believed IN American art and thought
Americans themselves appreciated Il. II
was one Of his aims 20 increase the mu-
seums collection along that line.
His gracious disposition and democratic
manners soon endeared him % Americans
He ~ once reorganized his staff. then took
the public fully into his confidence. once
month he had a reception for reporters.
and the newspaper men always learned
something interesting from him Al the
same time he founded THE Bulletin
which gave fuller details Of what was
going on at the museum The new ac-
cession room" was also his idea Here FOR
a month are exhibited additions 10 the coli
lections before they are put In their regu-
la places. he was a keen detective OF
art forgeries. but inclined 10 be tolerant
Of them when they We're good art Under
his direction many frauds were discovered
in the museums collection. bIt they were
left hanging with proper labels He also
greatly improved the Arrangement OF the
collections.
After his retirement a pension was voted
him for the rest of his life. and he was
made European correspondent OF the mu-
scum. Sir Purdon was also governing trus-
tee OF the Slade professorsnip. Cambridge:
university examiner. University Extension
Society governing trustee of the Alex
andra House corporation and Of the White
chanel Ar Gallery. He was ihe author OF
many papers and reviews on art and