IMMA patron Gordon Lambert dies at 85

The Irish Museum of Modern Art has paid tribute to its largest benefactor, Mr Gordon Lambert, who has died. Mr Lambert had had Parkinson's disease for some time.

The director of the museum, Mr Enrique Juncosa, said Mr Lambert would remain a major figure in the history of the museum.

"He will be remembered with great affection by all the staff of the museum, to whom he accorded his friendship as readily as he gave his collection," Mr Juncosa said.

Mr Lambert (85) was a former senator and worked as an accountant before he retired. He was for many years managing director of Jacobs Biscuits where he conceived the slogan: "How do they get the figs into the fig-rolls?" He was the first non-family member of the board and devised the Jacob's Irish television awards in 1962.

Appointed to the Seanad in 1977 by Jack Lynch, his interest in politics was always national rather than party-based, and over the years he played a part in improving relations between North and South. In 1962 he organised the first meeting of the Belfast and Dublin Junior Chambers at a lunch in Jacob's with the then Taoiseach Seán Lemass.

He came from a family renowned for its sporting achievements - his father, a vet and a keen cricketer, was dubbed the W.G. Grace of Ireland. Rugby, badminton, golf and tennis were also family pursuits.

In 1991 Mr Lambert donated 310 modern works to the IMMA, the product of nearly 40 years of collecting privately. The works still form the gallery's backbone. He also established a trust to direct works into the collection.

His family will at a later date announce details of a "memorial service and celebration of his life".