Alan S. Cole (1846–1934)

Alan Summerly Cole (1846-1934) was the son of the Victoria & Albert Museum’s first director, Sir Henry Cole (1808-1882), and also served as Assistant Secretary at the museum. He published “A Descriptive Catalogue of the Collection of Lace in the South Kensington Museum” in 1881, and in 1891 produced a supplement for specimens of lace acquired between 1880 and 1890. He was commissioned by Parliament to investigate the Irish lacemaking industry, and wrote many important works on the subject and on lace in general. Cole knew many turn of the century Arts and craft leaders, and was one of the only people advocating lace in the movement.