Harold Bennett (1893 - 1976)

“Harold Bennett was the son of a well-known local potter, the grandson of a former mayor of Hanley who read the Riot Act on the step of Hanley Town Hall, during the Chartist riots, and a more distant relative of the novelist of the Five Towns, Arnold Bennett.

As a boy of 14 he entered Hanley Art School and studied full time for seven years. Later on he held a temporary position as head of Leek Art School, but decided teaching was not for him, and joined a pottery firm in Middleport, Messrs. Burgess Leigh, where he was art director for 30 years.

He made watercolour painting a lifelong hobby, and has been recognised nationwide. Several of his pictures have been hung by the Royal Academy, and he counted Lord Woolten among his patrons. A number of municipal galleries have shown specimens of his work, and others have toured the country.

The Royal Institute of Painters in Watercolours and the National Society of Painters, Sculptors and Printmakers, both accorded him membership, and he was a silver medalist of the Paris Salon.

Mr Bennett was also a lifelong member of the North Staffordshire Art Society. “

- A description summary of Harold's artistic career is described from the information leaflet that accompanied his memorial exhibition held at the Mall Galleries in London in 1976.

Harold was son of Charles Howson an earthenware manufacturer and painter of still life in oils. He married Clarice Gilman of Park Dale, Park Road, Burslem.

With thanks to Harold’s granddaughter, Caroline Bennett for the information provided in 2024.