Oliver Messel was an artist and stage designer, who became an architect in later life. He was born on 13 January 1904 and spent his early life at the Sussex family homes of Balcombe House and Nymans.
Messel was a renowned designer, undertaking set and costume design for theatre, opera and film. In 1966 he moved to Barbados, where he designed houses for private clients.
He died in Barbados on 13 July 1978, and his ashes are buried in the magnolia garden at Nymans.