Benjamin Leigh Smith

Inscriptionback to top

Inscribed on the back of the picture, in the artist's hand: B. Leigh Smith./painted by Stephen Pearce. 1886

This portraitback to top

A replica is at Jesus College, Cambridge. No other portraits of Smith are recorded. On the wall behind him is a map of Alexandra Land, entitled, 'Discoveries in the "Eira" 1880-2 by B. Leigh Smith'.

Referenceback to top

Pearce 1903
S. Pearce, Memories of the Past (1903), p 97.

Physical descriptionback to top

Healthy complexion, greyish eyes, grey hair and beard. Dressed in a green stock, white shirt, dark grey waistcoat and coat, gold watch-chain. Seated in a red chair. Colour of map brownish-white. Rest of background brown and dark brown.

Provenanceback to top

Commissioned or purchased by Lady Franklin, and bequeathed by her niece, Miss Sophia Cracroft, in accordance with the wishes of her aunt.


This extended catalogue entry is from the out-of-print National Portrait Gallery collection catalogue: Richard Ormond, Early Victorian Portraits, Her Majesty's Stationery Office, 1973, and is as published then. For the most up-to-date details on individual Collection works, we recommend reading the information provided in the Search the Collection results on this website in parallel with this text.

View all known portraits for Stephen Pearce