Sir Francis Grant P. R. A. (1830-1878), was a painter of portraits and hunting subjects. He painted many prominent sitters including Queen Victoria, Lords Melbourne and Palmerston, and the artist Edwin Landseer. He spent much time in Melton Mowbray and his paintings of the Melton hunt are well-known through engravings such as The Melton Breakfast.
Grant was educated at Harrow and had intended to make his career in the legal profession, but the love of art and fox-hunting became apparent at an early age and he turned to painting professionally. His equestrian portraits and portraits of aristocrats led to royal patronage, including that of Queen Victoria. His accl;aim was such that he was made President of The Royal Academy and, later, knighted in 1866
