Sir Frederic Kenyon, Director of the British Museum, served as the Commission’s principal arbiter on matters of design, symbolism and overall aesthetic direction. Although not an architect himself, Kenyon’s authority in the fields of classical scholarship, art history and museum curation gave him a unique position within the Imperial War Graves Commission. His task was to evaluate the proposals of Lutyens, Baker and Blomfield, and to ensure that the emerging design principles were coherent, dignified and historically grounded.
Kenyon’s most influential contribution came in 1918 with his report on the treatment of war graves, which set out the philosophical and practical foundations for the Commission’s work. He endorsed the principles of equality of treatment, permanent headstones, and the creation of cemeteries close to the battlefields. He also supported the use of uniform headstones rather than crosses, arguing that the design should avoid sectarian distinctions and reflect the shared service of the dead. His recommendations provided the intellectual framework that guided the Commission’s architects and shaped the appearance of its cemeteries worldwide.
As the Commission’s artistic adviser, Kenyon mediated between architectural ambition and public expectation. He ensured that the cemeteries balanced symbolism with clarity, and that the memorials avoided excessive ornament while still conveying a sense of permanence. His influence can be seen in the restrained classical language adopted across the Commission’s sites, and in the careful integration of architecture, horticulture and landscape.
Kenyon remained closely involved with the Commission throughout its formative years, helping to maintain consistency across hundreds of sites and supporting the development of a commemorative style that would endure for generations. His role was less visible than that of the architects, but his guidance was essential in shaping the Commission’s identity and ensuring that its work rested on clear and principled foundations.
