"Hugh Casson first came to public prominence when he was appointed Director of Architecture for the controversial but ultimately hugely successful 1951 Festival of Britain. It was a triumph, introducing bleak, postwar Britain to modern design and the colour and gaiety of which it had been starved for too long. As this lively biography shows, the Festival's success owed much to Casson's inspired and energetic leadership and his selection of clever architects and designers. He received an almost immediate knighthood for his efforts, and was rarely out of the news thereafter." "This authorized biography is illustrated with Hugh Casson's own watercolours and sketches, many of which have never been published before."--BOOK JACKET.Title Summary field provided by Blackwell North America, Inc. All Rights Reserved