Charles Saumarez Smith was Director of the UK’s National Portrait Gallery 1994–2002, Director of the National Gallery 2002–2007 and Secretary and Chief Executive of the Royal Academy 2007–2018. He is the author of East London; The Company of Artists: The Origins of the Royal Academy of Arts in London; and The National Gallery: A Short History, among other titles.

'An original book, and so beautifully written and constructed' - Professor Sir David Cannadine, Dodge Professor of History, Princeton University and President of the British Academy

• Introduction • 1. The Pre-War Museum • 2. The Modern Museum • 3. The Post-Modern Museum • 4. Museums for the New Millennium • 5. The Museum Re-invented • Conclusion

Charles Saumarez Smith was Director of the UK’s National Portrait Gallery 1994–2002, Director of the National Gallery 2002–2007 and Secretary and Chief Executive of the Royal Academy 2007–2018. He is the author of East London; The Company of Artists: The Origins of the Royal Academy of Arts in London; and The National Gallery: A Short History, among other titles.

'An original book, and so beautifully written and constructed' - Professor Sir David Cannadine, Dodge Professor of History, Princeton University and President of the British Academy

• Introduction • 1. The Pre-War Museum • 2. The Modern Museum • 3. The Post-Modern Museum • 4. Museums for the New Millennium • 5. The Museum Re-invented • Conclusion

Charles Saumarez Smith was Director of the UK’s National Portrait Gallery 1994–2002, Director of the National Gallery 2002–2007 and Secretary and Chief Executive of the Royal Academy 2007–2018. He is the author of East London; The Company of Artists: The Origins of the Royal Academy of Arts in London; and The National Gallery: A Short History, among other titles.

'An original book, and so beautifully written and constructed' - Professor Sir David Cannadine, Dodge Professor of History, Princeton University and President of the British Academy

• Introduction • 1. The Pre-War Museum • 2. The Modern Museum • 3. The Post-Modern Museum • 4. Museums for the New Millennium • 5. The Museum Re-invented • Conclusion