Laura (Johnson) Knight DBE RA RWS (1877 - 1970)

Born 4 Aug 1877 in Long Eaton, Derbyshire, England, United Kingdom

Wife of Harold Knight RA — married 16 Jun 1903 in West Leake, Nottinghamshire, England, United Kingdom

Died 7 Jul 1970 at age 92 in London, England, United Kingdom

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Biography

Laura (Johnson) Knight DBE RA RWS is Notable.

Laura (Johnson) Knight DBE RA RWS was born in Derbyshire, England.

Portrait artist known for works including studies of ballet dancers, circus folk and the Nuremberg trials.

Laura was born in 1877. She was the youngest of three daughters of Charles and Charlotte Johnson. Charles Johnson abandoned the family not long after Laura's birth and she was raised by her mother in difficult financial circumstances. In the 1881 census the family were staying with Laura's grandmother in the Hyson Green area of Nottingham. ^[1]

From 1889 Laura lived for a time with relations in France but returned to England when they went bankrupt. Laura's mother Charlotte was teaching part-time at the Nottingham School of Art and managed to have Laura enrolled there as a non fee-paying 'artisan student' from age 13.

When Laura was 15 years old her mother developed cancer and despite her young age Laura took over her mother's teaching duties. Her mother subsequently died leaving Laura and her sister Evangeline (Sissy) in a difficult financial situation. Their other sister (Nellie) had also passed away. Laura & Sissy were living together at 6 Albert Grove, Nottingham on the 1901 census. ^[2] Laura is recorded on the census as 'living on own means' and it is believed she continued to give private art lessons to support herself.

Laura married Harold Knight in 1903, the couple had met at the School of Art. ^[3] They moved to Cornwall in 1907 where both Laura and Harold were involved with a colony of artists known as the Newlyn School. On the 1911 census they are recorded as visitors to a household in Falmouth. Laura and Harold both have their occupation recorded as artist. ^[4]

Laura had a long and distinguished career as an artist which is detailed more fully elsewhere. She exhibited widely during her lifetime and was particularly known for her studies of ballet dancers, circus folk and gypsies. Laura was also an official artist of the Second World War and produced multiple works including a large oil painting of the Nuremberg trials.

In November 2022 a medal awarded to her was sold at auction. The silver medal was presented to Dame Laura Knight in 1894 in recognition of her work.^[5]

In later life Laura lived in London and Malvern. On the 1939 register she and Harold were recorded at an address in Malvern. ^[6] She passed away in London in 1970. ^{[7] [8]}

Sources

1. ↑ 1881 Census: "1881 England Census"
   Class: RG11; Piece: 3345; Folio: 97; Page: 66; GSU roll: 1341798
   Ancestry Record 7572 #17651260 (accessed 7 September 2021)
   Laura Johnson (3) granddaughter, in household of Charle. Bates (67) at 9 Noel St in Nottingham registration district. Born in Long Eaton, Derbyshire, England.
2. ↑ 1901 Census: "1901 England Census"
   Class: RG13; Piece: 3165; Folio: 51; Page: 9
   Ancestry Record 7814 #18558920 (accessed 7 September 2021)
   Laura Johnson (23) in household of Arthur Henry Beard (38) in Nottingham registration district. Born in Long Eaton, Derbyshire, England.
3. ↑ Marriage: "Nottinghamshire Marriages Index 1528-1929"
   FindMyPast Transcription (accessed 7 September 2021)
   First name(s): Harold; Last name: Knight; Marriage date: 16 Jun 1903; Marriage place: West Leake; Church: St Helena; Denomination: Anglican; Spouse's first name(s): Laura; Spouse's last name: Johnson; County: Nottinghamshire; Country: England.
4. ↑ 1911 Census: "1911 England Census"
   The National Archives of the UK (TNA); Kew, Surrey, England; Census Returns of England and Wales, 1911
   Ancestry Record 2352 #54950217 (accessed 7 September 2021)
   Laura Knight (33) in household of William ? Ingram (55) at Tregunnim, Witton Villas, Falmouth. Born in Long Eaton.
5. ↑ 1894 Silver Medal sale:
   BBC news report (accessed 21 November 2022)
6. ↑ 1939 Register: "1939 England and Wales Register"
   The National Archives; Kew, London, England; 1939 Register; Reference: RG 101/5783D
   Ancestry Sharing Link Ancestry Record 61596 #28747256 (accessed 7 September 2021)
   Name: Lauran Knight; Gender: Female; Marital Status: Married; Birth Date: 4 Aug 1877; Residence Year: 1939; Address: Mount Plum Stoter; Residence Place: Malvern, Worcestershire, England; Occupation: Artist; Line Number: 3; Schedule Number: 31; Sub Schedule Number: 12; Enumeration District: QJJD; Borough: Malvern; Registration district: 378/1; Inferred Spouse: Harold Knight
7. ↑ Death Registration: "England & Wales, Civil Registration Death Index, 1916-2007"
   General Register Office; United Kingdom; Volume: 5d; Page: 1819
   Ancestry Record 7579 #36384770 (accessed 7 September 2021)
   Laura Knight death Jul-Aug-Sep 1970 in St Marylebone volume 5d page 1819.
8. ↑ Probate: "England & Wales, National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administrations), 1858-1995"
   Ancestry Record 1904 #74119048 (accessed 7 September 2021)
   Name: Dame Laura Knight; Death Date: 7 Jul 1970; Death Place: London; Probate Date: 11 Aug 1970; Probate Registry: London.

See also:

• Wikipedia Laura Knight
• Wikidata: Item Q2693890, en:Wikipedia
• Wikipedia: Newlyn School
• Victory Delayed - ARTV04747 via AWM Collection