Sir Kenneth Ralph Barnes, KGB, CBE (11 September 1878 – 16 October 1957) was director of the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) in London, from 1909 until 1955.
He was born in Heavitree, near Exeter, one of six siblings. His sisters, Irene and Violet became actresses.
In 1921 he instigated the building of a new theatre for RADA which unfortunately was totally demolished by bombing in 1941. A new Vanbrugh Theatre was opened by Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother in 1954 shortly before Sir Kenneth's retirement. He was knighted in 1938.
Famous quotes containing the words kenneth and/or barnes:
“The man who is admired for the ingenuity of his larceny is almost always rediscovering some earlier form of fraud. The basic forms are all known, have all been practicised. The manners of capitalism improve. The morals may not.”
—John Kenneth Galbraith (b. 1908)
“But no. Too soon I voun’ my charm abroke.
Noo comely soul in white like her—
Noo soul a-steppen light like her—
An’ nwone o’ comely height like her—
Went by; but all my grief agean awoke.”
—William Barnes (1801–1886)