Noel Harry Leaver
Noel Harry Leaver was born in Austwick, Yorkshire and raised near Burnley, Lancashire, where he attended St. James School and the Burnley School of Art. Having received a National Scholarship to the Royal College of Art at age 16 and his full associateship at 21, he obtained a Travelling Scholarship to Italy for 6 months in 1911 where he studied painting and architecture. This was followed by a further scholarship from the Royal Institute of British Architects, with which he returned to Italy and travelled on to North Africa in 1912. Best known for works in watercolour, frequently showing the influence of the contrasting light and azure skies of Southern Europe and North Africa, he also produced a series of English Cathedrals. His works are held in private and public collections.
