Sir Robert Vere “Robni” Darwin was a major figure in midcentury British art. As Rector of the Royal College of Art (RCA) for more than three decades, he re-shaped arts education in Britain, with outstanding results—the RCA’s roster of graduates during Darwin’s tenure reads like a who’s who of British postwar art and design, including such major figures as David Hockney, Peter Blake, and James Dyson.

This book traces Darwin’s life, work, and influence, taking him from his wartime work with camouflage through his key role in postwar reconstruction projects and in the sprawling, innovative Festival of Britain in 1951, then on to his decades leading the RCA. Throughout, Henrietta Goodden shows how Darwin translated his artistic understanding to institutional settings, and how his eye for innovation and ability to connect people fueled the creativity of students and administrators alike.