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 norma ...

, 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. Originally an important part of England's military organization, it became the United Kingdom's oldest museum, originally housed in the Tower of London from ...

, 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 one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom. Founded in 1379 by William of Wykeham in conjunction with Winchester College as its feeder school, New College is one of the oldest colleges at th ...

, 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 ( la, Magister Artium or ''Artium Magister''; abbreviated MA, M.A., AM, or A.M.) 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. Tho ...

. He then studied at the

University of Manchester , mottoeng = Knowledge, Wisdom, Humanity , established = 2004 – University of Manchester Predecessor institutions: 1956 – UMIST (as university college; university 1994) 1904 – Victoria University of Manchester 1880 – Victoria Univer ...

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 offici ...

in Art Gallery and

Museum Studies Museology or museum studies 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 education. Terminology The w ...

Career

Wilson began working at the

in 1972. From 1978 to 1981, he was keeper of

edged weapons An edged weapon, or bladed weapon, is a melee weapon with a cutting edge. Bladed weapons include swords, daggers, knives, and bayonets. Edged weapons are used to cut, hack, or slash; some edged weapons (such as many kinds of swords) may also permit ...

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 castle on the north bank of the River Thames in central London. It lies within the London Borough of Tower Hamlets, which is separa ...

. In 1981, he was appointed Deputy Master of the Armouries. In 1988, he was appointed

Master of the Armouries The Royal Armouries is the United Kingdom's national collection of Weapons, arms and armour. Originally an important part of England's military organization, it became the United Kingdom's oldest museum, originally housed in the Tower of Lond ...

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 19th-century fort and museum near

Portsmouth Portsmouth ( ) is a port and city in the ceremonial county of Hampshire in southern England. The city of Portsmouth has been a unitary authority since 1 April 1997 and is administered by Portsmouth City Council. Portsmouth is the most dens ...

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

Leeds Leeds () is a city and the administrative centre of the City of Leeds district in West Yorkshire, England. It is built around the River Aire and is in the eastern foothills of the Pennines. It is also the third-largest settlement (by populati ...

, the

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

, 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 A fellow is a concept whose exact meaning depends on context. In learned or professional societies, it refers to a privileged member who is specially elected in recognition of their work and achievements. Within the context of higher education ...

(FSA). He was elected a Liveryman of the

Worshipful Company of Gunmakers The Worshipful Company of Gunmakers is one of the 110 Livery Companies of the City of London. The Gunmakers' Company received a Royal charter of incorporation in 1637. The Proof House has statutory duties to regulate the safety of firearms in ...

in 1990 and a Liveryman of the

Worshipful Company of Armourers and Brasiers The Worshipful Company of Armourers and Brasiers is one of the livery companies of the City of London. The Armourers' Guild was established in 1322; it received a royal charter in 1453. Other companies, including the Armour Repairers, merged ...

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)