Emmeline Boulton – (1912 – 2008)

Emmeline was born in Openshaw, Manchester, to James, an engineer, and Emily, a weaver. Emmeline was only 10 when she was nicknamed Red Emma for her fiery speeches, preaching socialism from St Stephen’s Square in Manchester!

At 12 she contracted rheumatism, bedridden for eight years she was home-schooled by a family friend, Harry Kalinski who taught her to appreciate art. Eventually she learned to walk again, and in 1936 her mother took her to the art school in an old wheelchair and together they argued for a trial year, she excelled, gained a scholarship, and graduated, specialising in mural painting.

Emmeline had a lifelong friendship with LS Lowry which began when she challenged him in the morning break at Manchester’s Municipal School of Art. As a visitor at the school, he had verbally demolished what he assumed was her work – the smallest, poorest canvas. Emmeline, who was disabled and only 4ft 6ins – had actually painted the biggest. Though students were forbidden to respond to lecturers’ critiques, she declared: “Sir, the painting to which you refer was not mine!” Apologising profusely, Lowry then invited her for tea – the first of many such meetings including Lowry spending his 87th birthday at Emmeline’s where he sat for a portrait.

Lowry also insisted on vetting her fiancé, the painter Ivor O’Brien. They married in 1951, and dedicated their lives to art. Emmeline outlived Ivor by five years

Emmeline was a remarkably determined woman, she went on to join Stockport Art Guild, the Society of Modern Painters, Manchester Academy of Fine Art and was a fellow of the Royal Institute of Art and Design. She was also the Art mistress at Kingsmoor School for many years. Emmeline was 95 when died