Sir Edwin Landseer was born in London, the son of the engraver John Landseer A.R.A and Jane Potts. He was something of a prodigy whose artistic talents were recognised early on. He studied under several artists, including his father, and the history painter Benjamin Robert Haydon, who encouraged the young Landseer to perform dissections in order to fully understand animal musculature and skeletal structure.

Landseer's life was entwined with the Royal Academy. At the age of just 13, in 1815, he exhibited works there as an “Honorary Exhibitor”. He was elected an Associate at the minimum age of 24, and an Academician five years later in 1831.

In huge demand socially, Edwin Landseer taught Queen Victoria and Prince Albert to etch.  Eventually he became stressed, drunk and mad, comparing himself to one of his own hunted stags.

Today's speaker, Karin Fernald, is an actor, writer and speaker. She researches and creates a spell-binding picture of characters and historical periods.