My friend Simon Houfe, who has died aged 83, was a brilliant writer, art historian, journalist and raconteur; his originality and enthusiasm enriched the lives of countless people.
He had been expected to become an architect like his maternal grandfather, Professor Sir Albert Richardson, president of the Royal Academy, in whose remarkable home, Avenue House, Ampthill, in Bedfordshire, Simon lived for most of his life. Instead he became editor of the Antique Collector (1970-74) and subsequently contributed articles to magazines including Country Life and Apollo, and wrote nine books.
