Peter Williams (1914-1995). British designer, writer and editor

Peter Williams was born near Nottingham in 1914. He was educated at Harrow and the Central School of Arts and Crafts, and ran his own fashion business until 1939. After war service he began designing for ballet, including for the Metropolitan Ballet and Sadler’s Wells Theatre Ballet. From 1949 until 1950 he was assistant editor of Richard Buckle’s Ballet magazine, and in 1950 founded Dance and Dancers magazine, which he edited for 30 years. Williams was dance critic for a number of national newspapers, as well as writing several books on ballet, including Masterpieces of Ballet Design in 1981. At various times he served on committees of The Arts Council, The British Council and the Dancers’ Pensions and Resettlement Fund. He was appointed OBE in 1971, and died in Cornwall in 1995.