Cole, Henry (1808-1882)

English public official, art critic, and editor. He organized the Great Exhibition of 1851 and played a major part in founding the Victoria and Albert Museum, the Science Museum, the Royal Albert Hall, and the Royal College of Music, all in London. Employed at the Treasury on the postal project (1839-42), he introduced the penny postage system in 1840, and the adhesive stamp.

Cole served first in the Public Record Office, which he helped to found, and then engaged in a variety of successful public projects and activities, some of them stemming from his prominent position in the Royal Society of Arts. He was in charge of the Victoria and Albert and Science museums for many years.