Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Leifchild, Henry Stormonth

1423487Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900, Volume 32 — Leifchild, Henry Stormonth1892Lionel Henry Cust

LEIFCHILD, HENRY STORMONTH (1823–1884), sculptor, born in 1823, was fourth son of William Gerard Leifchild of Moorgate Street and The Elms, Wanstead, Essex, and nephew of John Leifchild, D.D. [q. v.] He studied in the sculpture galleries of the British Museum, at the Royal Academy, and from 1848 to 1851 at Rome. He first exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1846, sending 'The Mother of Moses leaving him on the Banks of the Nile.' At the Great Exhibition of 1851 he exhibited his statue of 'Rizpah.' and that, like his later groups, 'Bacchus and Ariadne.' 'The Torchbearers.' 'Minerva repressing the Wrath of Achilles.' 'Lot's Wife.' 'Wrecked.' besides various busts of minor importance, attracted favourable attention. He was the successful competitor for the guards' memorial at Chelsea Hospital. Seven models in plaster of his most important works were presented by his widow and family to the Castle Museum at Nottingham. A mortuary chapel in Warriston cemetery at Edinburgh, designed throughout by Leifchild, is a work of great merit. A statue of 'Erinna' is at Holloway College. Leifchild resided most of his life in Stanhope Street, Regent's Park, and died at 15 Kirkstall Road, Streatham Hill, Surrey, on 11 Nov. 1884. He married Marion, daughter of Henry Clarke of King Street, Covent Garden, but left no children. Leifchild was a man of many talents, excelling not only in his profession, but as a draughtsman, carver, and musician.

[Magazine of Art, July 1891; Times, 21 Nov. 1884; Athenæum, 29 Nov. 1884; information from Professor G. Baldwin Brown and C. H. Wallis, esq., F.S.A.]

L. C.