Robin Howard

Robin Jared Stanley Howard CBE was born on 17 May 1924 in London, England. He was the grandson of Prime Minister Stanley Baldwin and the eldest child of Sir Arthur Howard and Lady Lorna Howard. His family had a tradition of public service and involvement in the arts, particularly influenced by his mother.

Howard was educated at Eton College. During World War II, he served as a lieutenant in the Scots Guards from 1942 to 1945. His military service was cut short due to injuries sustained in the Netherlands, which resulted in the loss of both his legs. In 1945, he resumed his studies at Trinity College, Cambridge, and successfully passed the bar examination to become a lawyer. However, he did not pursue a legal career and instead entered the hotel and restaurant industry.

In 1956, Howard established the Hungarian Department of the United Nations Association in England, serving as its director of international service until 1963. This organization aimed to assist refugees and was an early example of his involvement in international service efforts.

Howard became actively involved in promoting modern dance in England starting in 1963. His engagement with dance began earlier, with his first encounter with the Martha Graham Dance Company in 1954. He sponsored performances by the company and successfully persuaded Martha Graham to return to Britain for the Edinburgh Festival in 1963, followed by a London engagement. After the company's successful tour, he established Graham-inspired dance classes. By 1967, Howard had founded the London Contemporary Dance Group and its associated school, as well as the London Modern Choreographic Dance School, which was later renamed the London Contemporary Dance Theatre. He also founded the Contemporary Dance Trust, serving as its director general from 1966 to 1988 and as life president from 1988 until his death.

In 1969, Howard based the Contemporary Dance Trust in a complex of buildings in London known as The Place. The centre has served as a major venue for British contemporary dance ever since. His contributions to dance led to his recognition in 1976 when he was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE). In 1989, he was elected President of the International Dance Council of the International Theatre Institute.

Howard was a successful businessman, notably acquiring and transforming the Gore Hotel, which allowed him to support his interests in wine and hospitality. He was also a significant collector of contemporary art during the 1950s and 1960s. His patronage extended to artists such as Francis Newton Souza and John Christoforou, whom he supported extensively.

Throughout his life, Howard was committed to supporting the arts. He sold many of his possessions to fund and promote contemporary dance in Britain and often encouraged others to contribute as well. In recognition of his contributions to dance, the theatre at The Place was renamed the Robin Howard Dance Theatre in 2001.

Robin Howard passed away on 12 June 1989. His legacy includes being acknowledged as one of the founders of contemporary dance in Britain, with observers noting his dedication, generosity, and influence in shaping the British dance landscape.