The Madras College Archive

     


Former Teacher Biographies

James Lessells (1860 - 1937), Drawing Master
 

The Madras College Magazine for June 1904 reports:

The vacancies thus caused have fortunately been admirably refilled. Mr Lessells, Superintendent of the Art Schools and inspector of drawing in the elementary and secondary schools, under the Leith School Board, has become Drawing Master. Mr Lessells has had over twenty years' most successful experience as a teacher of drawing and painting, is well known in artistic circles, and has had pictures hung yearly in the Royal Scottish Academy for many years, so that the community of St. Andrews is most fortunate in having the opportunity of getting such instruction in painting, etc.

 

Self Portrait

The Madras College Magazine for June 1938 reported:

Many former pupils would learn with regret of the death of Mr. James Lessells, which took place at his home in Joppa on 23rd November 1937.

Mr. James Lessells was for over twenty years Art Master of Madras College, and prior to that Art Director of Leith Schools.

Mr. Lessells, who was about 77 years of age, was a native of Kirkcaldy. He early displayed marked artistic talent, and as a young man taught art in the evening schools at Kirkcaldy.

He subsequently devoted himself with much success to an art career, and after a period as Art Master at Montrose he went to Leith, where he served for about 12 years under Leith School Board, and conducted classes in various schools in the port.

He then received his appointment to Madras College, where he remained for over 20 years, retiring about 12 years ago, when he removed to Edinburgh.

Mr. Lessells was a successful teacher and executant, and his own works were exhibited in the Royal Scottish Academy and other exhibitions.