Leslie Webster (art historian) facts for kids

Leslie Elizabeth Webster, born on November 8, 1943, is an English expert who used to work at a museum. She is an art historian, meaning she studies old art, especially from the Anglo-Saxons and Vikings. She worked at the British Museum from 1964 to 2007. There, she helped put together many big shows about the Anglo-Saxons and the Early Middle Ages. She also wrote many books about these topics.

Early Life and Learning

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. Later, she studied at Westfield College, which is part of the University of London. In 1964, she earned her first degree there. She did very well, getting top honors.

Working at the British Museum

After finishing college, Leslie Webster started working at the British Museum in 1964. She began as an assistant keeper in a department that looked after British and Medieval old objects. In 1969, this department split into two. Webster moved to the new Department of Medieval and Later Antiquities. She worked there as an assistant keeper until 1985.

From 1985 to 2002, she was a deputy keeper. Then, for a short time in 2002–2003, she was the acting keeper. In 2002, the museum departments changed again. They merged back into one big department called Prehistory and Europe. Leslie Webster became the Keeper of this department in 2003. She stayed in this important role until she retired in 2007.

Exhibitions and Books

During her time at the British Museum, Leslie Webster helped create four major exhibitions. These shows were all about the Early Middle Ages. She also helped organize exhibitions in five big European museums. This was part of a project about the "Transformation of the Roman World."

Webster has written many books and articles about Anglo-Saxon art and archaeology. Some of her well-known books include The Golden Age of Anglo-Saxon Art (1984) and The Making of England: Anglo-Saxon Art and Culture (1991). She also wrote Anglo-Saxon Art: A New History (2012) and The Franks Casket (2012). She is also helping to write a book about the amazing objects found in the Staffordshire Hoard.

Other Important Activities

Since 2002, Leslie Webster has been an honorary visiting professor. She teaches at the Institute of Archaeology at University College London. She has also served on many important groups and committees. Since 2012, she has been on the advisory panel for the National Heritage Memorial Fund.

From 2011 to 2014, she led the research panel for the Staffordshire Hoard project. This project studied the valuable items found in the hoard. From 2013 to 2017, she was part of a committee that reviewed art and objects being sent out of the country. She was also the President of the Society for Medieval Archaeology from 2007 to 2010. She was the Vice President of the Royal Archaeological Institute from 2007 to 2012.

Webster has also been a trustee for the Society of Antiquaries of London. She became a fellow of this organization in 1973. She was also a member of panels for English Heritage and the British Academy.

Personal Life

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