Frank Heath Profile

1873

Born at Coulsdon in Surrey, the youngest of 12 children. In contrast to his 4 elder brothers (who all entered the learned professions of law and surveying), Frank Heath with his early talent for painting, embarked on an artistic career.

1892 - 1990

Attended the South Kensington Art School in London, the Academy of Fine Arts in Antwerp, Belguim and Sir Hubert von Herkomer's Art School at Bushey, Hertfordshire. It was during this time that Frank Heath became a friend and admirer of the work of Stanhope Forbes.

1901

Moved to Newlyn to study with Stanhope Forbes

1903 (Until 1935)

Exhibited regularly at the Newlyn Art Gallery, the Royal Academy in London, the Salon in Paris and the Walker Art Gallery in Liverpool.

1910

Married Jessica Doherty from Bandon, Co. Cork in Ireland who, at that time was studying at the School of Painting run by Stanhope and his wife Elizabeth in Newlyn. After their marriage, Frank and Jessica lived at Polperro, East Cornwall, where their first two children, Aileen and Nancy were born.

1913

Left Polperro and settled at Lamorna (which means in Cornish, "Valley by the Sea"). Purcahsed 10 acres of scrubland at the top of the Lamorna valley on which to build a house which was christened "Menwinnion" (in Cornish, "House of the winds").

1915

Volunteered for active service in the Great War and enlisted into the Artists Rifles. He was posted to France. but soon after arriving at the front, he suffered badly from the effects of German chlorine gas and was admitted to hospital. The severity of his illness led him to being invalided out of the army and he returned to Menwinnion to convalesce.
In December, the twins Tony & Gabriel were born.

The Post War Years

When not painting, Frank Heath's life revolved around his family, the garden and his various interests. He was a keen sportsman who played both cricket (at St Buryan) and golf (at Sancreed and the West Cornwall Golf Club at Lelant near St Ives). His other great interest was music and for many years he played the violin with the Penzance Orchestral Society.

1936

Died peacefully age 63. He was buried at Old Coulsdon Church in Surrey.

1990s

The family name continues with his great-grandchildren, Ursula and Nicolas Heath.

2000s

Harriet Bell, a great-grand-daughter of Frank Heath becomes a successful painter see www.hrbell.com