Tom Honeyman 
Biography of Tom Honeyman
Tom Honeyman
Thomas John (usually known as Tom) Honeyman (1891-1971) was a medical graduate who became an art dealer and museum director. He was elected Rector in 1953 and was awarded an honorary LLD in 1956. Honeyman delivered the WA Cargill Memorial lecture on the history of painting in 1967 and he gifted works of art to the University collections.
Born in Glasgow, Honeyman matriculated at the University in 1909 and graduated MB ChB in 1916. He served in the RAMC in Salonika and India during the First World War, returning to practice in the East End of Glasgow. In 1929 he joined the art dealers Reid & Lefevre and moved to London three years later as director of the Lefevre Gallery. In 1939 he was appointed Director of Glasgow Art Galleries and Museums, holding the post until 1954.
Honeyman was instrumental in persuading Sir William Burrell to donate his art collection to the city, and he was famous for his decision (controversial at the time) to purchase Salvador Dali's Christ of St John of the Cross. He was a founder of the Schools Museums Service and of the Citizen's Theatre.
Summary
Tom Honeyman
Physician and Art Curator
Born 10 June 1891, Govanhill, Scotland.
Died 1971.
GU Degrees: MBChB, 1916; LLD, 1956;
University Link: Alumnus, Rector
Occupation categories: art curators; museum directors; physicians
NNAF Reference: GB/NNAF/P152270
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Record last updated: 9th Jan 2015
Country Associations
Scotland
Place of Birth
University Connections
University Roles
Awards
On This Day Entries
- Tom Honeyman awarded the St Mungo Prize (November 23 1943)
