Dame Laura Knight was brought up in impoverished circumstances, her father died early in her life (1883), learning to draw and paint at an early age from her mother.
At the age of 13 Laura Knight joined the Nottingham School of Art and was probably the youngest pupil they ever enrolled. In 1892 Laura’s mother was diagnosed with cancer and died in 1895. In the interim period Laura was awarded the Princess of Wales Scholarship an award of £20 pa for two years as she had won more awards than any other woman in Britain.
Dame Laura Knight started life in poverty, but became financially successful and developed lasting friendships who ranged from not only gypsies, circus folk, the farm and factory worker but also with those more fortunate, that included famous authors, actors, playwrights, judges at Nuremberg and aristocrats. Laura also travelled widely in the UK, Europe and America.
All of these friends and most of her acquaintances kept in contact with this remarkable woman to the end, as demonstrated by the huge numbers who attended her Memorial service held at St James Church, Piccadilly 28th July 1970.
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