Leslie Marr

Sir Leslie Lynn Marr, 2nd Baronet (born 14 August 1922) is a British landscape artist, painter and former racing driver.

Sir Leslie Marr

Marr with a painting, 2019
Born	14 August 1922
Formula One World Championship career
Nationality	British
Active years	1954–1955
Teams	Privateer Connaught
Entries	2
First entry	1954 British Grand Prix
Last entry	1955 British Grand Prix

Marr was born in Durham, England, the son of John Lynn Marr (1877–1931) and Amelia Rachel, née Thompson (1884–1971). He was educated at Shrewsbury School and Pembroke College, Cambridge. He inherited his baronetcy in 1932, on the death of his grandfather, shipbuilder Sir James Marr, 1st Baronet, though he does not use the title. 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.[1][2]

Marr participated in two Formula One World Championship Grands Prix, making his debut on 17 July 1954 at the British Grand Prix.[3] 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.[4][5] 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.[4]

Landscape artist

Marr is recognised primarily as a landscape artist and painter.[6][7][8] 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.[1][9] From 1948 to 1956, Marr was married to Bomberg's stepdaughter (daughter of Lilian Holt), artist Dinora Mendelson (1924-2010).[10][11][12]

Between 1983 and 1991, Marr lived and painted on Arran, and later moved to a home and studio in Norfolk.[1] 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.[13]

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:[5]

References

1. "Leslie Marr – A Painter on Arran – Voice for Arran". Retrieved 25 March 2019.
2. Isaaman, Gerald (11 May 2017). "Art dekko". Camden New Journal. Retrieved 25 March 2019.
3. "Leslie Marr profile". Grandprix.com. Inside F1. Retrieved 21 February 2012.
4. "Drivers: Leslie Marr". ESPN F1.com. ESPN. Retrieved 21 February 2012.
5. Small, Steve (1994). The Guinness Complete Grand Prix Who's Who. Guinness. p. 246. ISBN 0851127029.
6. Jenkins, Richard. "Where are they now: Leslie Marr". Old Racing Cars. Retrieved 21 February 2012.
7. "Leslie Marr | Colony Art: Rochdale Art Gallery". Colony Art. Retrieved 26 March 2019.
8. "Leslie Marr". Sothebys. Retrieved 26 March 2019.
9. "Leslie Marr - Famous Galleries". www.famousgalleries.co.uk. Retrieved 25 March 2019.
10. Debrett's Peerage, Baronetage and Knightage, 148th edition, ed. Charles Kidd, Debrett's Ltd, 2011, p. 678
11. Tate Women Artists, Alicia Foster, Harry N. Abrams, 2004, p. 118
12. https://artuk.org/discover/artists/mendelson-dinora-19242010
13. "Leslie Marr". Nick Waters Art. Retrieved 25 March 2019.

External links

• Leslie Marr on David Bomberg (YouTube interview)