Thomas Hoving

Date of Birth: January 15, 1931

Zodiac Sign: Capricorn

Date of Death: December 10, 2009

Biography

Thomas Pearsall Field Hoving was an influential American museum executive and educator, most notably serving as the director of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City from 1967 to 1977. Born into a well-connected family, Hoving’s father was a prominent lawyer and his mother a philanthropist. He attended Phillips Exeter Academy and later earned a B.A., M.A., and Ph.D. from Princeton University. Hoving’s tenure at the Met was marked by a dynamic and, at times, controversial approach to museum management. He was a pioneer in making museums more accessible and engaging to the public, incorporating blockbuster exhibitions and innovative marketing strategies. After leaving the Met, Hoving continued to influence the world of art and culture through various roles, including being an editor for Connoisseur magazine and writing several books, both fiction and non-fiction, that reflected his extensive knowledge and passion for art. His career was characterized by a fearless approach to both acquiring significant works of art and challenging the traditional norms of museum curation and education.

5 Interesting Facts about Thomas Hoving

1. Thomas Hoving was instrumental in acquiring the Temple of Dendur for the Metropolitan Museum of Art, a significant archaeological piece gifted by Egypt to the United States.

2. He introduced the concept of “blockbuster” exhibitions to museums, revolutionizing the way art is presented and enjoyed by the public.

3. Hoving authored several books, including “Making the Mummies Dance,” a memoir detailing his time at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

4. He was a Rhodes Scholar and studied at Balliol College, Oxford, before completing his graduate studies at Princeton University.

5. Hoving played a pivotal role in the acquisition of the controversial “Euphronios Krater,” an ancient Greek vase, which later became a subject of legal disputes over its provenance.