Leslie Charles Robert

Leslie, Charles Robert (1794-1859), a genre painter, was the son of a clever clockmaker. He was born in London, but when quite young went back with his father to America. Having attracted attention by a portrait of G. F. Cooke the actor, he was sent by a subscription of merchants to study painting in Europe. While studying at the Academy schools and elsewhere the young man became intimate with Washington Irving and Constable, and saw something of Coleridge. He painted the portrait of the first, and also illustrated his Sketchbook and Knickerbocker's History of New York. Leslie's first great success was his Sir Roger de Coverley going to Church. In 1821, when he exhibited May Day Revels in the Time of Elizabeth, he was elected A.R.A. In 1824 he visited Scott at Abbotsford, and painted his portrait. Two years later he became E.A., his diploma picture being Queen Katharine and her Maid. Among the best of his other pictures were Uncle Toby and the Widow Wadman (now in the National Gallery), The Taming of the Shrew, and The Dinner at Mrs. Page's House. His son, George Dunlop Leslie (b. 1835), a graceful painter of homely subjects, was elected R.A. in 1876.