James Battersby Fleming
(1832-1908), Canon of York CathedralSitter in 3 portraits
by W. & D. Downey, published by Cassell & Company, Ltd
carbon print, published 1891
NPG Ax15923
James Battersby Fleming ('Men of the Day. No. 753.')
by Sir Leslie Ward
chromolithograph, published in Vanity Fair 29 June 1899
NPG D44967
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Johanna Melvin
25 September 2020, 18:45
James Battersby Fleming was born in 1830 - and died in 1908. He was the son of Patrick Fleming MD of Strabane, and after ordination was posted at Bath and then Camberwell, eventually became Vicar of St Michaels Chester Square, London. Later in life he became Canon Fleming of York Minster and private chaplain to Queen Victoria.
Known for his great charm and eloquence, especially in the pulpit, he wrote a book about public breaking, still in print today called 'The Art of Reading and Speaking' (9th Impression printed in 1910). There is still in existence a recording of Fleming reciting 'The Charge of the Light Brigade' by Alfred Lord Tennyson.
He was a great advocate of the Temperance movement of the day and also worked with Dr Bernardo. There is a biography about his life and works 'Life of Canon Fleming" by Rev. Arthur R.M.Finlayson - published in 1909 by James Nisbet and co. He was married to Grace Purcell.