Joseph Bentley Leyland Explained

Joseph Bentley Leyland (1811–1851) was a sculptor from Halifax, England.His brother was Francis A Leyland, the Halifax antiquarian and publisher, who designed the seal for Halifax Corporation and the coat of arms of Halifax.^[1]

Joseph was a good friend of Branwell Brontë. Like him, his talent was largely unfulfilled. He was often in debt and died an alcoholic three years after Branwell. ^[2] Leyland introduced Bronte to an active artistic social group in Halifax. This included William Dearden, George Hogarth, John Nicholson, and John Wilson Anderson.

Well-known works

• Memorial to Stephen Beckwith in York Minster^[3]
• African blood-hounds: a large group which Edwin Landseer described as "the noblest modern work of its kind", which was presented to Salford Museum after the sculptor's death and subsequently destroyed.^[4]

Further reading

• Web site: Joseph Bentley Leyland . The Oxford Companion to the Brontes . Oxford Index . 23 April 2013.

External links

• Web site: Joseph Bentley Leyland. A Biographical Dictionary of Sculptors in Britain, 1660-1851. Henry Moore Foundation. 23 April 2013. Includes link to list of 36 of his works

Notes and References

1. Book: Orel, Harold. The Brontës: Interviews and Recollections. 24 April 2013. 1997. University of Iowa Press. 9780877455370. 41.
2. du Maurier, Daphne (2012) The Infernal World Of Branwell Bronte. Hachette UK.
3. Web site: Discover church monuments – Church Monuments Society.
4. Web site: Joseph Bentley Leyland. A Biographical Dictionary of Sculptors in Britain, 1660-1851. Henry Moore Foundation. 23 April 2013.