Lee, Sherman E.

Lee, Sherman E. (Emery) (1918–  ) art historian, museum director; born in Seattle, Wash. After studying at American University (B.A. 1938, M.A. 1939) and Case Western Reserve University (Ph.D. 1941), he was a curator at the Detroit Institute of Fine Art (1941–46). Already known for his knowledge of Asian art, he served in Tokyo with the civil information and education section, Allied Powers (1946–48). He was associated with the Seattle Museum (1948–52) before joining the Cleveland Museum of Art in 1952; as its director (1958–83), he was widely credited with turning it into one of the major museums in the U.S.A. He was also on the art faculty at Case Western Reserve University (1962–83). As a scholar, his specialty was Far Eastern art and his books include History of Far Eastern Art (1964, revised several times).