Lawrence Kershaw, Principal of the Leicester College of Technology

Portrait in oils of Lawrence Kershaw, Principal of the Leicester College of Technology, by Marjorie Holmes, wife of Kershaw's colleague Kenneth Holmes, Principal of the Leicester College of Art. Marjorie Holmes first exhibited at the Leicester Society of Artists annual exhibition in 1936, showing an oil painting of a woman darning. The following year, 1937, she exhibited two oil portraits, one of Mr Wilson Tenning and one of Lawrence Kershaw. The portraits were mentioned in the local press, the Leicester Evening Mail commenting that "it is noteworthy that the only two portraits [at the exhibition] in oils of men were painted by a woman" (Jan 30 1937).

Lawrence William Kershaw was born in Bradford, Yorkshire, in September 1886. He studied civil engineering at the University of Birmingham between 1903 and 1908. By 1919 he was head of the Department of Mechanical and Civil Engineering at Loughborough College, and in 1928 was appointed Principal of the Leicester College of Technology. Under his leadership the College expanded in size and new departments were added including production engineering and languages. He worked to foster greater links with local industries, particularly through the introduction of advisory committees where members of local businesses were asked to advise on teaching methods and curriculum at the College. Kershaw was awarded the OBE in 1943 and in the same year became President of the Association of Principals of Technical Institutions. He retired in August 1946, aged 60, stating that he was tired out by the fast pace of work during the Second World War.

Marjorie Holmes was the wife of Kenneth Holmes, Principal of the Leicester College of Art from 1934 to 1956. She studied at Cheltenham College of Art and at the Royal College of Art, where she met Kenneth. She was an Associate of the Royal College of Art (ARCA).

Available for general access. External researchers are advised to contact the archivist to make an appointment.

It is assumed that Marjorie Holmes donated the portrait to the Colleges of Art and Technology, now De Montfort University.

Catalogued in June 2013 by Katharine Short, Archivist.

For articles and speeches by Kenneth Holmes, see D/019. Information about Marjorie Holmes' contributions to the Leicester Society of Artists exhibitions can be found in the press cuttings albums (D/010).