Letter: The talented Henry Conway
I am horrified by the gross slurs on the very talented and creative Henry Conway because of the row over his father's accounting methods. Henry has been the subject of some extraordinary press comment, using aspects of his presumed lifestyle to make very personal and nasty attacks. After a brilliant academic career at the Courtauld, Henry has proved himself to be a learned and entertaining writer - not least in Knit Couture, his recent book on the history of knitwear (Shortcuts, G2, January 31). I would see him as the natural successor to the fashion historian Quentin Bell, and predict that - like Quentin - he will end up as a teacher and academic. Certainly Henry is more Bloomsbury than Sloane, and his self-description "Queen Sloane", like his "Fuck Off I'm Rich" theme night, is deeply ironic.
No surprise that the likes of the Daily Mail centres on his openly gay lifestyle, using words like "flamboyant". But there was a tinge of homophobia in the Guardian too, plus a pop at his genuinely flamboyant fashion sense. I have always found Henry a fount of knowledge, while he has been a great help to the Julia Margaret Cameron Trust. He did some great PR for us at the latest Isle of Wight Festival, where he fitted like a glove and curated a show for Dimbola Lodge Photographic Museum of classic Rolling Stones photographs, as that band of dandys and posh tramps were headliners.
Dr Brian Hinton
Chairman, Julia Margaret Cameron Trust