We at Sir John Soane’s Museum Foundation are deeply saddened by the loss of our beloved friend and valued Board Member Philip Hewat-Jaboor.
Our trustee Brian McCarthy, a long-time friend of Philip’s, recalls our first introduction: “When I first spoke to Philip about his potential involvement on the Foundation Board, . . . he stopped me, looked me squarely in the eye and said he would do absolutely anything for the Foundation and expressed his great love for the Museum and what it meant to him.” And so he did, bringing his energy and passion to the general guidance of the Foundation as well as to more specific areas such as Programs, Travel, and our annual Honors evening. Philip brought with him a depth of knowledge both as an expert on William Beckford and Thomas Hope, as the Chairman of Masterpiece London, but most important, as a collector in the grand tradition of Sir John Soane.
He was that rare person, a thoughtful gentleman, and raconteur who could be a leader, collaborator, and friend all at once. His early death has been a shock to us, to the scholarly world in which he travelled, and to his family and friends. He will be missed always.