Rorimer, James J. (James Joseph), 1905-1966

Museum director and art historian; New York City.

Rorimer was the motivating force in the development of the Cloisters. Educated at Harvard University and the Ecole Gory in Paris, his employment by the Metropolitan Museum of Art began in 1927 and continued until his death. He was curator of the Department of Medieval Art (1934-1955), director of the Cloisters (1949-1966) and director and trustee of the Metropolitan Museum of Art (1955-1966). During WWII, Rorimer served in the Monuments, Fine Art and Archives Section of the U.S. Army, recovering and protecting hidden and stolen art works (1943-1946).

...