Neil MacGregor is a British art historian and museum director who is best known for his work on the BBC Radio 4 series “A History of the World in 100 Objects”. The series was a groundbreaking exploration of world history through the lens of 100 objects, chosen from the British Museum’s collection. By exploring the stories behind these objects, MacGregor sought to show how they connected to the broader narrative of human history.
Neil MacGregor
Neil MacGregor was born in 1946 in Glasgow, Scotland. He studied at the universities of Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Cambridge, where he earned a PhD in Art History. After working at the National Gallery in London and the Victoria and Albert Museum, he was appointed Director of the National Gallery in 1987. In 2002, he became the Director of the British Museum and held the post for the next 13 years. During this time, he oversaw the creation of the BBC Radio 4 series “A History of the World in 100 Objects”.
"A History of the World in 100 Objects"
“A History of the World in 100 Objects” was a series of radio programs which aired on BBC Radio 4 from 2010 to 2012. The series was produced in collaboration with the British Museum, which provided the 100 objects used in the series. Each episode of the series focused on a single object and explored its history, its significance and its connection to the broader narrative of human history. The objects chosen ranged from ancient stone tools to modern works of art and included items from cultures all around the world.
The series was an instant success and was praised for its innovative approach to world history. It was also a commercial success, with the accompanying book becoming a bestseller. The series was awarded a Peabody Award in 2013 and was credited with inspiring a renewed interest in the British Museum’s collections.
Neil MacGregor’s work on “A History of the World in 100 Objects” was groundbreaking in its approach and has had an immense impact on the way world history is understood and taught. By exploring the stories behind the objects, MacGregor sought to show how they were connected to larger themes and narratives in world history, a new and innovative approach which has been widely praised.
