Sir Neil Cossons: A Tenacious Champion for Britain's Heritage and Museums
Sir Neil Cossons, who has died aged 87, was a formidable figure in the museums and heritage sector, renowned for his unwavering dedication to preserving Britain's scientific and industrial legacy. Despite his mild and affable exterior, colleagues and politicians quickly discovered his tenacious spirit, particularly during his 14-year tenure as director of the Science Museum and later as chair of English Heritage.
Leadership and Advocacy in Heritage
In 2000, Cossons took on the role of chair at English Heritage, the quango tasked with protecting the historic environment. Under his guidance, the organisation produced Power of Place, a pivotal policy document that emphasised the value of broader historic sites, including high streets and suburbs. He fiercely defended heritage funding, famously challenging then Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell in 2005 over budget cuts, asserting the importance of heritage in national daily life beyond mere tourism.
His battles extended to urban development, as he clashed with London Mayor Ken Livingstone over skyscraper designs and campaigned to save terrace houses in northern cities from demolition. Cossons was instrumental in acquiring and restoring the 18th-century Ditherington Flax Mill in Shrewsbury, a building he cherished as a key piece of industrial history.
Career Highlights and Innovations
Born in Beeston, Nottingham, Cossons studied geography at the University of Liverpool and began his career at various museums, including Leicester Museum and Bristol City Museum. At 29, he became deputy director of Liverpool Museum, and in 1971, he was appointed the first director of the Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust. There, he preserved not only industrial sites but also the vernacular buildings of workers' homes, helping Ironbridge gain UNESCO World Heritage status in 1986.
As director of the Science Museum from 1986, his legacy includes the Wellcome Wing, now the West Hall, which opened in 2000. This space embodied his belief in interactive displays, featuring innovations like a simulation of the Kobe earthquake and the UK's largest Imax screen at the time.
Controversies and Lasting Impact
Cossons also navigated contentious issues, such as the Stonehenge visitor centre plans, which faced delays over road tunnel proposals. He criticised the British Museum for using French stone instead of British Portland in the Great Court project, highlighting his commitment to national materials. His efforts ensured that heritage remained a priority, influencing policies and public engagement across the UK.
He authored several books on industrial archaeology and heritage management, and in his later years, he attended the handover of Ironbridge Gorge to the National Trust. Knighted in 1994, Cossons is survived by his wife Veronica and their three children, leaving behind a profound impact on Britain's cultural landscape.
