Peter Watson

Cover of the biography

Victor William (Peter) Watson (14 September 1908 – 3 May 1956) was a wealthy English art collector and benefactor. He funded the literary magazine, Horizon, edited by Cyril Connolly.

Watson was found mysteriously drowned in his bath on 3 May 1956. Some have suggested that he was murdered by his young American lover, Norman Fowler (from whom Francis Bacon stole £300 to go gambling). Fowler inherited the bulk of Watson's estate and died 14 years later in the West Indies; he was also found drowned in his bathtub.

Peter Watson was said to be the love of Cecil Beaton’s life, though they were never lovers.

Further reading

• Adrian Clark and Jeremy Dronfield, Queer Saint: The Cultured Life of Peter Watson (John Blake, 2015).

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