Robert Dudley Best

Robert Dudley Best (1892–1984), heir to the renowned British lighting company Best & Lloyd, revolutionised the lighting world with his dedication to modernist principles. Inspired by the Bauhaus movement and the works of designers like Le Corbusier, Best pursued a vision of functional yet elegant lighting. While studying Industrial Design in Germany, he became friends with Bauhaus founder Walter Gropius, who influenced his philosophy of merging industrial production with artistic merit. His iconic Bestlite collection, born from these ideals, combines simplicity with utility and has been a mainstay of modernist design since its creation.

The Bestlite collection, lauded as Britain’s first Bauhaus-inspired lighting design, was initially created for commercial use but quickly found favour in domestic settings. Winston Churchill’s choice to use a Bestlite on his desk catapulted the design to international fame, establishing its reputation as a timeless task light. Today, the Bestlite remains a hallmark of modern design, cherished for its clean lines and versatility across interior spaces.