Lester Sutcliffe was born in Heptonstall in 1848. He painted landscapes and coastal scenes, frequently in Whitby where he lived for many years. He exhibited with the Newlyn painters later in his career and married the flower painter Elizabeth Trevor. He also spent twelve years designing and painting stage sets in Liverpool and Birmingham. He studied painting in Italy and France and exhibited widely, in Birmingham, Manchester, London (Royal Academy, Royal College of Art, Royal Society of British Artists) and Liverpool (Walker Art Gallery). His work can be found in public collections in Leeds and Whitby, and at other galleries throughout the U.K.