Updated with revised dates and details
ICOM UK is deeply saddened to report the passing of Patrick Boylan at the age of 84. As well as being a leading light at the International Council of Museums, Patrick was a renowned academic and was instrumental in establishing protocols to support the protection of cultural heritage during armed conflict.
Professor Patrick John Boylan was born on 17 August 1939. During his long and illustrious career, Professor Boylan was a member of the Executive Council of ICOM from 1989 to 1998, and Vice-President for two terms from 1992 to 1998. He was Chairman of the Executive Council of ICTOP from 1983 to 1986 and from 2001 to 2004. From 2004 to 2008, he chaired the Standing Committee on Legal Affairs, which he had founded in 2004. He was made an honorary member of ICOM in 2004, at the General Assembly in Seoul, by Jacques Perot, outgoing President of ICOM.
In 1993, Patrick was hired by UNESCO to undertake a Review of the Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict (The Hague Convention of 1954). As a result, in 1996, he became the driving force behind ICOM being credited as one of the four co-founders of Blue Shield, an international organisation established to protect the world’s cultural heritage threatened by wars and natural disasters. In June 2021, he took part in a panel discussion to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the founding of Blue Shield, a recording of which can be seen on the Blue Shield website here.
Patrick was a prolific writer on topics ranging from geology and natural history to cultural policy and museum studies. He co-wrote the History of ICOM, 1946-1996 (published 1998) and Running a Museum – a practical handbook (published 2004), both of which are available to download as PDFs from the ICOM website.
He originally gave up a career in teaching to move into the heritage sector, taking the role of Keeper of Geology and Natural History for Kingston upon Hull Museums in 1964. From there, he became Director of Museums and Art Gallery for Exeter City Council in 1968; then Director of Museums and Arts for Leicester City Council in 1972 where he stayed until 1990. He was President of the Museums Association (MA) from 1978 to 1980 where he led the development of the MA’s first Code of Ethics, and was later involved in developing the Code of Professional Ethics for ICOM.
Patrick was Professor and Head of the Department of Arts Policy and Management for City University, London, from 1990 to 2004, before returning to Leicester to enjoy his retirement with the title of Professor Emeritus in Heritage Policy and Management.
Patrick Boylan’s achievements are wide ranging and truly inspiring. He will be missed by all those who benefitted from his great knowledge, drive and generosity.
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