Kenneth Clark got his ideas for landmark TV series Civilisation from a show made for school children, BBC documents reveal

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Published: 19:40 EST, 28 June 2014 | Updated: 19:41 EST, 28 June 2014

To the millions who watched the landmark TV series Civilisation, Kenneth Clark was the nation’s authority on culture. 

But behind the scenes, the art historian turned to a children’s programme to help him prepare for his role.

His unorthodox research  for the 13-part series has been revealed for the first time in documents in the BBC archives.

Lord Kenneth Clark, who hosted the landmark TV series Civilisation, was told to watch a show for schoolchildren called People Of The Renaissance to help him script his

Civilisation – which chronicled the history of Western culture through its art – was first shown on BBC2 in 1969, making Lord Clark, a household name.

But in 1967, producer and director Michael Gill decided that the presenter could benefit from watching a schools programme about the Renaissance.

In a letter dated March 9, 1967, Mr Gill’s assistant wrote: ‘It would be of enormous help to Sir Kenneth in writing his scripts if he was able to see a show... for schools under the title, People Of The Renaissance.’

Lord Clark – who was paid up to £1,000 to write and present each episode – also charged the BBC ten guineas to film him in his library at Saltwood Castle, his home in Kent. And he persuaded the BBC to lend him a colour TV to help him better understand the new technology.