Leslie Webster (art historian) facts for kids

Leslie Elizabeth Webster, born on November 8, 1943, is an English expert who used to work as a museum curator and art historian. She specialized in the art of the Anglo-Saxons and Vikings. A curator is someone who takes care of a museum's collections, like ancient artifacts or artworks. From 1964 to 2007, she worked at the famous British Museum in London. She became a very important person there, called a Keeper. During her time, she helped create many big exhibitions and wrote several books about the Anglo-Saxons and the Early Middle Ages.

Early Life and Education

Leslie Elizabeth Webster was born on November 8, 1943. Her parents were James Lancelot Dobson and Elizabeth Marjorie Dobson. She went to Central Newcastle High School. After high school, she studied at Westfield College, which is part of the University of London. In 1964, she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree with top honors. This means she did exceptionally well in her studies.

Career at the British Museum

After finishing college, Leslie Webster started working at the British Museum. From 1964 to 1969, she was an assistant keeper in a department that looked after British and Medieval old objects.

Rising Through the Ranks

In 1969, her department was split into two. Leslie Webster moved to the new Department of Medieval and Later Antiquities. She continued as an assistant keeper until 1985. Then, she became a deputy keeper until 2002. For a short time in 2002–2003, she was the acting keeper, which meant she was in charge temporarily. In 2002, the departments were joined back together. This new department was called the Department of Prehistory and Europe. Leslie Webster became the Keeper of this department in 2003. She held this important role until she retired in 2007.

Exhibitions and Projects

While at the British Museum, Leslie Webster helped organize four major exhibitions. These shows were all about the Early Middle Ages, a period of history after the Roman Empire. She also helped coordinate exhibitions in five big European museums. This was part of a project called "Transformation of the Roman World AD 400–900."

Published Works

Leslie Webster has written many books and articles about Anglo-Saxon art and archaeology. She continued to publish even after she retired. Some of her well-known books include:

• The Golden Age of Anglo-Saxon Art, 966-1066 (published in 1984)
• The Making of England: Anglo-Saxon Art and Culture AD 600–900 (published in 1991)
• The Transformation of the Roman World AD 400–900 (published in 1997)
• Anglo-Saxon Art: A New History (published in 2012)
• The Franks Casket (published in 2012)

She also helped write a book about the amazing treasures found in the Staffordshire Hoard.

Other Important Activities

Since 2002, Leslie Webster has been an honorary visiting professor at the Institute of Archaeology at University College London. This means she shares her knowledge with students there. She has also served on many important committees and groups.

Leadership Roles

• From 2007 to 2010, she was the President of the Society for Medieval Archaeology.
• From 2007 to 2012, she was the Vice President of the Royal Archaeological Institute.
• She was a trustee for the Society of Antiquaries of London, an organization she joined in 1973.
• She was part of the advisory panel for the National Heritage Memorial Fund since 2012.
• From 2011 to 2014, she led the research advisory panel for the Staffordshire Hoard Research Project.
• From 2013 to 2017, she was a member of a committee that reviews art and cultural objects being exported from the UK.

Personal Life

Leslie Webster married William Ian Webster in 1966. They have one son and two daughters. She enjoys reading books, listening to music, going for walks, cooking, and visiting France. She also likes to whistle!