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1914 - 26 February 1981
Author, Literary Agent and founder of the Inland Waterways Association (IWA). His previous mild interest in canals was rekindled by L T C Rolt's book Narrow Boat published in 1944. Robert and his wife Ray first met Tom and Angela Rolt on their narrowboat Cressy in August 1945. This led to the inaugral meeting of the IWA on the 15th February 1946 at the Aickman's home at Gower Street in London.
He became the first IWA Chairman and held the post until he resigned on 26 October 1951. After that the post of chairman was held briefly by two others and was vacant for five years before Robert became Chaiman again at the end of 1957 and continued until October 1964 when he resigned and was succeeded by Lionel Munk. From 1951 until his death he held the post of Founder and Vice-President.
Robert Aickman will always be remembered for his leadership in the early difficult years when many of our best loved waterways were threated with closure. His great intellect, hard work and devotion to the cause were without equal but many people found him difficult to deal with, especially when he was opposed. In 1950 a disagreement on policy between him and Tom Rolt caused a major split in the IWA and lead to the departure of Rolt and others from the Association.
