About Francis Watson
Lived 1907 – 1992 (aged 85). Francis Watson was a British art historian and university teacher.
Sir Francis John Bagott Watson, (24 August 1907 – 27 September 1992) was a British art historian.
Education Watson was educated at Shrewsbury and St John's College, Cambridge.
Career In 1934, Watson began working for the Courtauld Institute of Art under James Mann. He followed Mann to the Wallace Collection, and took over the position of Director at Mann's death, serving from 1963 to 1974. He was also Surveyor of the Queen's Works of Art from 1963 to 1972.
Watson was Slade Professor of Fine Art at the University of Oxford, 1969–70.
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Important facts
People in Francis Watson's life
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Frequently asked questions
Who was Francis Watson?
British art historian (1907–1992)
When was Francis Watson born?
Francis Watson was born on 24 August 1907 in Dudley.
When did Francis Watson die?
Francis Watson died on 27 September 1992.
What was Francis Watson's occupation?
Francis Watson was an art historian and university teacher.
What nationality was Francis Watson?
Francis Watson was British.
Sources & further reading
· DBpedia: Francis Watson (art historian)
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Francis Watson. https://biography.guide/francis-watson-art-historian/
MLA: "Francis Watson." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/francis-watson-art-historian/.
Chicago: "Francis Watson." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/francis-watson-art-historian/.
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