Milner Gray, 1899-1997

• Biography

  Attribute	Value
  Biography	Born in London, Milner Gray studied painting and design at London University he joined the school of art at Goldsmith's College. At this time he developed a friendship with Graham Sutherland, a fellow student. During World War One he served with the 19th London Regiment and the Royal Engineers where he worked on camoflage. In 1921 Milner Gray joined Charles and Henry Bassett to form the highly successful Bassett-Gray studio. Milner Gray was an innovative illustrator much influenced in his early career by the German school of lettering. He adapted to the rapidly changing demands on industrial designers and contributed much to the professional organisation of the Society of Industrial Artists and Designers. He taught at Royal College of Art and Goldsmith's College and from 1937 to 1940 was principal of the Sir John Cass School of Arts and Crafts. During World War Two he worked for the Ministry of Information and helped to develop the Design Research Unit, to advise Government departments and commercial organisations about design matters. His own work ranged from designing packaging and corporate identities to interior and product design. He produced many designs for bottles and labels for W A Gilbey the makers of Gin, Courage the brewers and other drinks in the 1950s. He also designed the sign posting for the Festival of Britain in 1951 and the symbolic crown used for the Coronation in 1953. He married Gnade Osborne-Pratt in 1934.
  Place of birth	London, United Kingdom
  Education	London University, Goldsmiths College,
  Employment	Designed posters for London Transport, 1938-1947
  Role	Artist,