Lawren Stewart Harris

Lawren Harris (1885 - 1970) was a Canadian painter best known as a member of the Group of Seven who launched a Canadian painting style in the early 20th century. Harris was instrumental in creating the Group of Seven. The Group received monetary support in part from Harris and from Dr. James McCallum. The two had a studio built in the Rosedale ravine in Toronto for the Group to gather and work to form the Canadian Art Movement.

Lawren was born in Brantford, Ontario, to Thomas Morgan Harris and Anna Stewart. He was heir to the Massey-Harris fortune. He married Beatrice (Trixie) Phillips on 20 January 1910. They had three children.

After 24 years of marriage, Harris left his wife and married Bess (Larkin) Houser in 1934, who was wife of his school-friend E.B. Houser.

Harris died in 1970 in Vancouver and is buried on the grounds of the McMichael Canadian Art Collection.

Sources:

• Wikipedia