Born in Penn, Buckinghamshire, Sir Roger de Grey studied at Chelsea School of Art. He was the nephew of Spencer Gore, the Camden Town painter, which helped to fuel an early love of painting. During the Second World War he served in the Army and, in 1945, he was awarded the United States Bronze Star. From 1947 to 1953 he taught in the Department of Fine Art at King’s College, Newcastle upon Tyne, first as a lecturer and subsequently as Master of Painting. In 1953 he became Senior Tutor at the Royal College of Art, where he taught Roderigo Moynihan and Carel Weight. He then became Principal of the City & Guilds of London Art School, transforming it into a leading academy for artists and craftsmen. De Grey was elected to the Royal Academy in 1964, of which he became President in 1984. During his nine year tenure he extended the Academy’s programme of exhibitions and was instrumental in the building of the Sackler Galleries. His work is represented in many public collections including Tate London; Arts Council; Royal Collection; Brisbane Art Gallery and several provincial galleries. He won the Wollaston Award in 1979.
