Hiram W. Woodward Jr.

A leading expert in Thai, Burmese and Khmer Arts history, Hiram W. Woodward Jr., ​“Woody”, (b. Baltimore, Md., USA) fostered one of the main Asian art collections worldwide when he was Curator of The Walters Arts Museum, 1986 – 2003.

After studying in the US (Harvard College), London and Bangkok — he had served inPeace Corps in Thailand 1963 – 1966 –, he taught History of Art at University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, from 1972 until the late 1980s.

In 2013, a chair holding his name (The Hiram W. Woodward Jr.) was founded at SOAS (School of Oriental and African Studies), University of London. His abundant bibliography (see here) remains an ongoing reference for scholars and art lovers worldwide.

Photo: with Nisa Sheanakul circa 1965, while he was an English teacher at the Faculty of Archaeology, Silpakorn University, Bangkok (The Walters Art Museum).