Thomas Neurath, who led the independent publishing house Thames & Hudson for nearly sixty years, has died. The son of founder Walter Neurath, Thomas took over the company in 1967 after his father's early death and built it into one of the most respected imprints for illustrated art books. Known for his single-minded energy and intellectual bravura, he forged close relationships with artists including David Hockney and Barbara Hepworth, and maintained the firm's independence as a family business. His personal collection included works by Oskar Kokoschka and Egon Schiele, and he was an avid book collector who combined business travel with museum visits.
Neurath's death marks the end of an era for Thames & Hudson, a publisher that has shaped how art is presented and consumed through its high-quality illustrated books. Under his leadership, the firm not only survived but thrived as a wholly independent entity in an industry increasingly dominated by conglomerates. His legacy is visible in the enduring quality of the company's lists and its continued influence on art publishing worldwide. The article also highlights the broader story of a family of Austrian Jewish refugees who built a cultural institution in London after escaping the Nazis.