Sir Alfred was known for his generous donations to good causes and he gave £200,000 to pay for the construction of the art gallery and museum.

Sir Alfred was an engineer who set up a company in Coventry in 1887 to make components and tools for Coventry's cycle industry. Alfred Herbert Ltd grew to become probably the biggest machine tool manufacturer in the world.

Many titles were conferred on Sir Alfred, including Knight Commander of the British Empire, Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts and Honorary Freeman of Coventry.

The Herbert Art Gallery and Museum was opened after Sir Alfred's death by Lady Herbert in 1960. The original building has recently been redeveloped, creating a welcoming environment for the whole community and bringing Sir Alfred Herbert's vision for the city's art gallery and museum into the 21st century. The Herbert's 50th anniversary celebrates the progress it has made over the last half century and its continuing promotion of the artistic and cultural heritage of Coventry.