John Beresford Leathes, 1864-1956

John Beresford Leathes who died at Montreux on 14 September 1956, in his 92nd year, was born on 5 November 1864. He was the second son of the Reverend Stanley Leathes, D.D., a Professor of Hebrew at King’s College, London, and Prebendary of St Paul s. His mother was Matilda Butt, who counted among her ancestors a Dr Butt, a physician to Henry VIII. His brother was Sir Stanley Leathes, K.C.B. He married Sonia Marie Natanson in 1896 in London, a Russian by birth, and a fine pianist. They had one daughter Margaret, who married Lionel Penrose, M.D., F.R.S., Professor of Genetics at University College, London. Leathes was educated at Winchester College, being a classical scholar from 1878 to 1883. While there, he had, as Prefect of Hall, to deliver the speech on the occasion of the visit of Mr Gladstone. This was in Latin and Mr Gladstone replied in English. Leathes was also Captain of the Winchester College football fifteen in 1883. His interest in classics was lifelong, and gave him pleasure in his retirement. It is said that on one occasion, he surprised Sheffield University Classical Association with a learned and delightful paper on Greek poetry. At Winchester, it is recorded that there were no science laboratories when he started his education, and evidently he had little teaching in science there.