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:
“Wealth is not without its advantages and the case to the contrary, although it has often been made, has never proved widely persuasive.”
—John Kenneth Galbraith (b. 1908)
“We are beginning to wonder whether a servant girl hasn’t the best of it after all. She knows how the salad tastes without the dressing, and she knows how life’s lived before it gets to the parlor door.”
—Djuna Barnes (1892–1982)