MILLIKEN, WILLIAM M. (1889-14 Mar. 1978), second director of the CLEVELAND MUSEUM OF ART, was born in Stamford, Conn., to Thomas Kennedy and Mary S. Mathewson Milliken. He graduated from Princeton University (1911), and was assistant curator of the Dept. of Decorative Art in New York City's Metropolitan Museum of Art before serving in the U.S. Army during WORLD WAR I. Following his discharge, he became curator of decorative arts at CMA, a post he held until his retirement from the museum in 1958. Milliken served briefly as curator of painting (1925-30) before his appointment as director in 1930, serving in that capacity until 1958. The purchase of the Guelph Treasure in 1930, which gave the museum international stature, and the annual MAY SHOW, exhibiting local art and crafts and under Milliken's guidance from 1919-58, are generally considered his major accomplishments. After leaving CMA, Milliken was advisor to the Natl. Gallery in Australia, presented lectures, organized the "Masterpieces of Art Exhibition" at the Seattle World's Fair in 1963, held the post of regent professor at the University of California in Berkeley, and authored 3 books. He was a trustee of the American Fed. of Arts (1929-62), board member of the American Assoc. of Museums and president of that organization from 1953-55, and president of the Assoc. of Art Museum Directors (1946-49). He also served on numerous international museum councils and was presented many awards and honors by the European art world. Milliken is buried at Bridgeport, Conn.
Finding aid for the William M. Milliken Papers, WRHS.
Finding aid for the William M. Milliken Photographs, WRHS.
Milliken, Wm. Born Under the Sign of Libra: An Autobiography (1977).