Guy Murray Wilson, (born 18 February 1950) is a British

military historian Military history is the study of armed conflict in the history of humanity, and its impact on the societies, cultures and economies thereof, as well as the resulting changes to local and international relationships. Professional historians ...

, curator, and museum director. From 1988 to 2002, he was Master of the Armouries and head of the

Royal Armouries The Royal Armouries is the United Kingdom's national collection of arms and armour. Once an important part of England's military organization, it became the United Kingdom's oldest museum, and one of the oldest museums in the world. It is als ...

, the United Kingdom's national museum for arms and armour.

Early life and education

Wilson was born on 18 February 1950 to Rowland Wilson and Mollie Wilson (''née'' Munson). He studied at

New College, Oxford New College is a constituent college of the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom. Founded in 1379 by Bishop William of Wykeham in conjunction with Winchester College as New College's feeder school, New College was one of the first col ...

, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree; as per tradition, his BA was later promoted to a

Master of Arts A Master of Arts ( or ''Artium Magister''; abbreviated MA or AM) is the holder of a master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The degree is usually contrasted with that of Master of Science. Those admitted to the degree have ...

. He then studied at the

University of Manchester The University of Manchester is a public university, public research university in Manchester, England. The main campus is south of Manchester city centre, Manchester City Centre on Wilmslow Road, Oxford Road. The University of Manchester is c ...

where he completed a

Diploma A diploma is a document awarded by an educational institution (such as a college or university) testifying the recipient has graduated by successfully completing their courses of studies. Historically, it has also referred to a charter or offi ...

in Art Gallery and

Museum Studies Museology (also called museum studies or museum science) is the study of museums. It explores the history of museums and their role in society, as well as the activities they engage in, including curating, preservation, public programming, and ed ...

Career

Wilson began working at the

in 1972. From 1978 to 1981, he was keeper of edged weapons and was based in the

Tower of London The Tower of London, officially His Majesty's Royal Palace and Fortress of the Tower of London, is a historic citadel and castle on the north bank of the River Thames in central London, England. It lies within the London Borough of Tower Hamle ...

. In 1981, he was appointed Deputy Master of the Armouries. In 1988, he was appointed Master of the Armouries and therefore became the head of the Royal Armouries. During his leadership, the Royal Armouries expanded from its original site at the Tower of London to include two more museums.

Fort Nelson A fortification (also called a fort, fortress, fastness, or stronghold) is a military construction designed for the defense of territories in warfare, and is used to establish rule in a region during peacetime. The term is derived from Lati ...

, a 19th-century fort and museum near

Portsmouth Portsmouth ( ) is a port city status in the United Kingdom, city and unitary authority in Hampshire, England. Most of Portsmouth is located on Portsea Island, off the south coast of England in the Solent, making Portsmouth the only city in En ...

specialising in artillery was taken over by the Royal Armouries in 1995. A new museum was built in

Leeds Leeds is a city in West Yorkshire, England. It is the largest settlement in Yorkshire and the administrative centre of the City of Leeds Metropolitan Borough, which is the second most populous district in the United Kingdom. It is built aro ...

, the

Royal Armouries Museum The Royal Armouries Museum in Leeds, West Yorkshire, England, is a national museum that holds the National Collection of Arms and Armour. It is part of the Royal Armouries family of museums, with other sites at the Royal Armouries' traditiona ...

, and it opened in March 1996. He stepped down as Master in 2002. Outside of his work at the Royal Armouries, he held a number of appointments. Since 1978, he has been a member of the British Commission for Military History. From 1981 to 1999, he served on the Advisory Committee on Historic Wreck. He has been Vice-President of the Arms and Armour Society of Great Britain since 1995. From 2002 to 2003, he served as President of the International Association of Museums of Arms and Military History (IAMAM). From 2003 to 2010, he served as Chairman of the International Committee for Museums of Arms and Military History (ICOMAM). ICOMAM is the successor organisation to IAMAM.

Personal life

In 1972, Wilson married Pamela Ruth McCredie. Together they have four children; two daughters and two sons.

Honours

On 12 January 1984, Wilson was elected a

Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of London The Society of Antiquaries of London (SAL) is a learned society of historians and archaeologists in the United Kingdom. It was founded in 1707, received its royal charter in 1751 and is a Charitable organization, registered charity. It is based ...

(FSA). He was elected a

Liveryman A livery company is a type of guild or professional association that originated in medieval times in London, England. Livery companies comprise London's ancient and modern trade associations and guilds, almost all of which are styled the "Wors ...

of the Worshipful Company of Gunmakers in 1990 and a Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Armourers and Brasiers in 2000.

Selected works

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References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Wilson, Guy 1950 births Living people British military historians British curators Directors of museums in the United Kingdom Alumni of New College, Oxford Alumni of the University of Manchester Fellows of the Society of Antiquaries of London Place of birth missing (living people)