Frederic Lord Leighton, early in 1896 a peerage was bestowed upon him, and all the world applauded the honor conferred on Art in his name. “The new peer, Baron Leighton of Stretton, was wholly recognized as the popular “ Sir Frederic,” the President of the Royal Academy, and one of the most familiar figures at any important function, at court or elsewhere. Except perhaps in the case of celebrities, who live in some degree by the public recognition of their personal makings, it is difficult to render tribute gracefully and well enough to a contemporary.” These were the thoughts of Leighton in his day.
How fortunate it has been that English Art, for seventeen years, had as its titular head an artist whose affluent artistic faculty was but the open symbol of a full life, loyal to the great causes, high ideals, and, friendships, to the lofty cause of Art. He was chosen long ago in the mid19th century to make a mark that will stand the test of time.