Wyburd, Leonard Francis 1865 - 1958

Leonard Francis Wyburd [commonly known as Leonard F. Wyburd; and sometimes as Leonard Wyburd] was born in Marylebone, Middlesex [now London] on 12 June 1865. His parents, Francis John Wyburd (1829-1909), and Jemima Wyburd (1840-1913), who were both exhibiting painters.  Nothing is known about his training as an artist. This may have come from his  parents.  In 1883 he began working for Liberty & Co. and subsequently ran their Furnishings and Decoration Studio in London until 1903.

He designed a wide range of furniture for the company including sideboards, tables, chairs, bookcases, clocks, fire screens, bedroom suites, etc. Although Wyburd is listed as an architect in 'Directory of British Architects 1834-1914 volume 2 L-Z' by Antonia Brodie et al (London; New York: British Architectural Library, Royal Institute of British Architects/Continuum, 2001), it is not known if he qualified in the profession.

A photograph of 'The Valkyrie' upright grand piano designed by Wyburd and executed by Messrs. J. & J. Hopkinson Ltd. is  illustrated in 'The Studio' July 1902 (p.133); photographs of the entrance hall, morning room and bedroom of a house designed by Wyburd are featured in 'The Studio Yearbook of Decorative Art' 1906 (pp.6, 29, 47, 89). Also illustrated in 'The Studio Yearbook of Decorative Art' 1906 is a fireplace he designed and executed (p.89). A drawing of a dining room, a drawing of a living room and two photographs of a drawing room at Cottesmore Gardens, Kensington designed by Wyburd are featured in 'The Studio Yearbook of Decorative Art' 1907 (opposite p.74 and opposite p.80 and p.81); and a drawing room designed by Wyburd is featured in 'The Studio Yearbook of Decorative Art' 1908 (illustration B103).

In addition to his work  as a designer, Wyburd was also a painter. He exhibited at the Royal Society of Artists in Birmingham; the Walker Art Gallery in Liverpool; Manchester City Art Gallery; and at  the Royal Academy in London, the Royal Society of British Artists in London, the Royal Institute of Painters in Water Colours in London, and the Royal Institute of Oil Painters.  

Wyburd's address was given as 41 Bryanston Street, Portman Square, London (1883), and 1 Cambridge Street, London, Hyde Park, London (1904-05).  He died in Bracknell, Berkshire on 17 January 1958.