Dame Laura Knight

Was born Laura Johnson in Long Eaton, Derbyshire, England on August 4, 1877.  She was the youngest of three girls, their father leaving shortly after Laura was born leaving them in dire financial condition.  At the age of fifteen Laura took over her mother's teaching position after she fell ill.  She met Harold Knight who was a promising art student and the two were married in 1903.  Between 1911 and 1929 Laura Knight drew and painted backstage, capturing some of the most famous actors of the era.  In the early 1920's she purchased an etching press and worked on many etching plates during this time.  Her fame began to rise during the late 1920's when she won an award in Amsterdam in 1928 for a painting and in 1929 was made a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire.  She was elected president of the Society of Women Artists in 1932 and in 1936 was the second woman elected to full membership in the Royal Academy.  Her paintings and prints can be found in many museums worldwide.