| Description | Sir John Fleming Leicester who became the first Baron de Tabley in 1826, was an enthusiastic patron of the arts, with an especial interest in the British school of painting. He collected modern British painting extensively, displaying it in a gallery at his London home in Hill Street, Mayfair. Sir John was also instrumental in the foundation of the Manchester Art Institute. He was also the first Commander of the of the Earl of Chester's Yeomanry Cavalry and lead them between 1796-1820. There are also two files containing his correspondence with artists, from whom he purchased works for his gallery and men such as William Carey, who assisted him in bringing his collection before the notice of the public, who were allowed to view it at Hill Street. The names represented in these letters include Sir William Beechey, Turner, Northcote, Haydon, Lawrence and Leslie. There is also a tribute to Sir John's aims and interests, more personal in tone than those mentioned above, which G. and E. Burne Jones wrote to Lady Leighton Warren. Dating from 1882-1897, these letters, numbering over 400, are preserved in four bound volumes. |