While in London to study at the Slade school of art on a Fulbright fellowship, 1954 - 1956, Simms discovered the African art collections of the British Museum. His frequent visits attracted the attention of William Fagg, Keeper of the ethnography collection. Fagg befriended Simms, encouraged his interest in African art, Benin bronzes in particular, and helped him get a second Fulbright to continue his studies in London.
Fagg also urged Simms to purchase a camera to photograph works in the collection. Fagg himself made thousands of photographs in his field work in Africa during this period. Unable to afford a camera, Simms asked Fagg to write to his patron, Jane Blaffer Owen, who sent the money to Fagg.
Fagg was also a friend of the artist whom Simms considered his role model, Jacob Epstein. Though born in the USA, Epstein made his career in London, and was working at the Royal Academy, where Simms met him.
