Sir Leslie Marr
Marr with a painting, 2019
Born(1922-08-14)14 August 1922
Durham, County Durham, England
Died4 May 2021(2021-05-04) (aged 98)
Gimingham, Norfolk, England
Formula One World Championship career
NationalityUnited Kingdom British
Active years1954–1955
TeamsPrivateer Connaught
Entries2
First entry1954 British Grand Prix
Last entry1955 British Grand Prix

Sir Leslie Lynn Marr of Sunderland, 2nd Baronet (14 August 1922 – 4 May 2021) was a British landscape artist, painter and racing driver.

Early life, education and military service

Marr was born in Durham, England, the son of Lieutenant Colonel and brevet Colonel John Lynn Marr (1877–1931), OBE, TD, of the Royal Garrison Artillery, director of two shipbuilding firms and of the Sunderland Forge and Engineering Company,[1] and Amelia Rachel (1884–1971; known as "May"),[2] daughter of Robert Thompson, of Over Dinsdale Hall, County Durham, a shipbuilder.[3][4]

He was educated at Shrewsbury School and Pembroke College, Cambridge. In 1932, at the age of ten, due to his father's death the previous year he inherited the baronetcy held by his grandfather, shipbuilder Sir James Marr, 1st Baronet, though he did not use the title.[5] He studied engineering at Cambridge University, where he graduated in 1942. During World War II he served as a technician in the Royal Air Force. His interest in painting developed during his posting to Palestine.[6][7]

Artistic career

Marr is recognised primarily as a landscape artist and painter.[8][9][10] After the war ended, Marr attended life classes at Heatherley's Art School in Pimlico and subsequently studied under David Bomberg at what was then known as the Borough Polytechnic (now London South Bank University). He allocated the upper floor of a bookshop he had rented as an exhibition space for Bomberg's students (who became known as the Borough Group). Following the Group's dissolution in 1950, Marr continued to paint and to travel across Britain and the continent, and it was at this time that Marr tried his hand at motor racing.[6][11]

Between 1983 and 1991, Marr lived and painted on Arran, and later moved to a home and studio in Norfolk.[6] Artworks by Marr are held in the public collections of the British Academy, Imperial College Collection, Laing Art Gallery Newcastle upon Tyne, and Pallant House Gallery, Chichester.[12][13]

Racing career

Marr participated in two Formula One World Championship Grands Prix, making his debut on 17 July 1954 at the British Grand Prix.[14] Racing in his private Connaught, he finished in 13th place, but retired from his last world championship race in 1955, after a damaged brake pipe caused him to spin off.[15][16] Marr competed in several non-Championship races, with his best results including winning the 1955 Cornwall MRC Formula 1 Race and finishing fourth in the 1956 New Zealand Grand Prix.[15]

Personal life

In 1948, Marr married artist Dinora Mendelson (1924–2010), daughter of London art dealer Jacob Mendelson and artist Lilian Holt; Lilian's second husband was Marr's former teacher David Bomberg.[17] Marr and his wife separated after two years, and were divorced in 1956.[18][19][20] In 1962, Marr married Lynn Moynihan; they had two daughters, the elder of whom predeceased him. His third wife was Maureen Monk.[21] Marr died in Gimingham, Norfolk in May 2021 at the age of 98, survived by his widow, daughter, and three grandchildren.[13] He was succeeded as baronet by his first cousin twice removed,[22] Allan James William Marr.[3]

Complete Formula One World Championship results

(key)

Year Entrant Chassis Engine 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 WDC Points
1954 Leslie Marr Connaught Type A Lea-Francis Straight-4 ARG 500 BEL FRA GBR
13		 GER SUI ITA ESP NC 0
1955 Leslie Marr Connaught Type B Alta Straight-4 ARG MON 500 BEL NED GBR
Ret		 ITA NC 0
Source:[16]

References

  1. ↑ The Foundry Trade Journal, vol. 45, Institute of Cast Iron Engineers, 10 September 1931, p. 168
  2. ↑ "Amelia Rachel "May" Thompson".
  3. 1 2 Burke's Peerage, Baronetage and Knightage, 107th edition, vol. 2, ed. Charles Mosley, Burke's Peerage Ltd, 2003, p. 2629
  4. ↑ "Robert Thompson".
  5. ↑ Vann, Philip (23 May 2021). "Leslie Marr obituary". The Guardian. Retrieved 23 May 2021.
  6. 1 2 3 "Leslie Marr – A Painter on Arran – Voice for Arran". 28 January 2018. Retrieved 25 March 2019.
  7. ↑ Isaaman, Gerald (11 May 2017). "Art dekko". Camden New Journal. Retrieved 25 March 2019.
  8. ↑ Jenkins, Richard. "Where are they now: Leslie Marr". Old Racing Cars. Retrieved 21 February 2012.
  9. ↑ "Leslie Marr | Colony Art: Rochdale Art Gallery". Colony Art. Retrieved 26 March 2019.
  10. ↑ "Leslie Marr". Sothebys. Retrieved 26 March 2019.
  11. ↑ "Leslie Marr - Famous Galleries". www.famousgalleries.co.uk. Retrieved 25 March 2019.
  12. ↑ "Leslie Marr". Nick Waters Art. Archived from the original on 26 March 2019. Retrieved 25 March 2019.
  13. 1 2 Brown, Allen. "Leslie Marr". OldRacingCars.com. Retrieved 10 May 2021.
  14. ↑ "Leslie Marr profile". Grandprix.com. Inside F1. Retrieved 21 February 2012.
  15. 1 2 "Drivers: Leslie Marr". ESPN F1.com. ESPN. Retrieved 21 February 2012.
  16. 1 2 Small, Steve (1994). The Guinness Complete Grand Prix Who's Who. Guinness. p. 246. ISBN 0851127029.
  17. ↑ Jewish Artists: the Ben Uri Collection, Walter M. Schwab, Julia Weiner, Ben Uri Art Society, 1994, p. 139
  18. ↑ Debrett's Peerage, Baronetage and Knightage, 148th edition, ed. Charles Kidd, Debrett's Ltd, 2011, p. 678
  19. ↑ Tate Women Artists, Alicia Foster, Harry N. Abrams, 2004, p. 118
  20. ↑ "Mendelson, Dinora, 1924–2010 | Art UK". artuk.org. Retrieved 10 May 2021.
  21. ↑ "Leslie Marr obituary". TheGuardian.com. 23 May 2021.
  22. ↑ Grandson of Leslie Marr's first cousin, Allan James Marr (1907-1989), CBE; see Burke's Peerage, Baronetage and Knightage, 107th edition, vol. 2, ed. Charles Mosley, Burke's Peerage Ltd, 2003, p. 2629
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