Le Strange, Henry
Henry L’Estrange Styleman Le Strange (1815-1862) was an amateur artist and moving force behind the development of Hunstanton, Norfolk.
He was a devout layman who wished to advance the practice of Tractarian worship and spirituality. As a distinguished amateur artist and architect, he was modestly influential in the nineteenth-century ideal for exploring the interrelationship between the self-dedication of the artist to moral and religious truth, and Christian art.
This can be seen in his own artistic work, in the tower and nave roofs at Ely Cathedral. The design of the ceiling of the cathedral was his greatest artistic achievement, and although he employed assistants for some of the work, he spent much time himself lying on planks painting the wonderful designs. Sadly he died suddenly before completing the work which was finished by T. Gambier Parry.
He worked with architects, such as his cousin, Frederick Preedy, and William Butterfield. In 1860 Butterfield invited him to co-operate in the decoration of St Alban’s, Holborn, London, and he spent two years in making and completing the cartoons for this work, which were completed posthumously by his cousin.
Sources:
Jacob WM. Henry Styleman le Strange: Tractarian, Artist, Squire. Studies in Church History. 1992;28:393-403. doi:10.1017/S0424208400012584
A Fine Strong Boy : The Life and Times of Henry L’Estrange Styleman le Strange by Kath Fryer (Hollinfare Publications, 2000)
Le Strange, Henry L’Estrange Styleman by Lionel Henry Cust, Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900, Volume 33