Peter Wilson (auctioneer)
Peter Cecil Wilson | |
|---|---|
| Born | 8 March 1913 England |
| Died | 3 June 1984 (aged 71) Paris, France |
| Occupation | Auctioneer |
| Known for | Chairman of Sotheby's |
Peter Cecil Wilson CBE (8 March 1913 – 3 June 1984) was a distinguished English auctioneer who served as chairman of Sotheby's.
Born to Sir Mathew Wilson, 4th Baronet of Eshton Hall, Yorkshire, Wilson received his education at Eton College followed by New College, Oxford. In 1935, he married Helen Ballard, with whom he had two sons before their divorce in 1951. While Ballard gained recognition as a horticulturist after the war, Wilson advanced his professional journey at Sotheby's.
During World War II, Wilson was engaged with British Intelligence operations based in London and Washington DC. After the conflict, he resumed his role at Sotheby's. In 1966, he featured as a guest on the BBC Radio show Desert Island Discs.
In 1970, Wilson was honored with the title of Commander of the Order of the British Empire. Upon relinquishing his position as chairman in 1980, he was named honorary life president of Sotheby's. For several years, he owned Garden Lodge located in Kensington, London.
Wilson passed away in Paris in 1984 at the age of 71, following a coma that lasted one week.
He is mentioned in Ian Fleming's story "The Property of a Lady", which was commissioned by Sotheby's for their yearly publication, The Ivory Hammer.
References
- WILSON, Peter Cecil, Who Was Who, A & C Black, 1920–2016 (online edition, Oxford University Press, 2014)