Howard, Francis, 1874 -1954 painter, art critic and gallery director

Francis Howard was born in 1874, the great grandson of Benjamin Franklin. He was educated at St. Edmund's and St. Augustine's Roman Catholic Colleges, and then in Germany, Geneva and Paris. He studied art in Paris and London, and in 1897 founded the International Society of Sculptors, Painters and Gravers. At the turn of the century, Howard acted as the representative for a group of American artists, resident in Europe, who felt the need for an American national gallery. In 1900, he travelled to America to gather funding and support for the project. In 1901, he organised the art section of the Woman's Exhibition at Earl's Court. In 1903, Howard married L. Chess of Louisville, USA, with whom he had one son. In 1907, he was Chairman and Special Commissioner of the British Art and Antiquarian Committee, for the Jamestown Exposition. In 1909, he organised an Exhibition of Chosen Pictures at the Grafton Galleries, and his first National Loan Exhibition. He continued to do the Loan exhibitions in 1913-14 and 1914-15. In 1910, Howard founded the National Portrait Society and organised their first exhibitions in Oldham and Bradford. In 1911, he organised the Society's inaugural London exhibition. Howard himself exhibited widely throughout Europe and America, and was for many years the art critic of the 'Weekly Sun' and a contributor of art, dramatic and literary criticism and verse to many periodicals. He was the Honourary Managing Director of the Grafton and Grosvenor Galleries, a Director of The Sun and other newspapers, Chairman of the National Portrait Society, Director of National Loan Exhibitions and a Chevalier of the Crown of Belgium. Francis Howard died in October 1954.