THE BAREFOOT BARONET
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Sir Robert Ponsonby Staples (1853 - 1943) was a great lover of life and people and through his vast output he has provided a lively account of the age in which he lived. With quick strokes of the painter-illustrator, he jotted down artists, politicians, literary and society figures, indeed as a sociable and eccentric Edwardian, whoever he happened to meet.
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He studied art and architecture from the age of 12 when he went to Louvain, followed by spells at Dresden, Paris and finally London where he frequented all manner of society gatherings. His first picture to be accepted by the Royal Academy was in 1875 when he was 22 and he was a regular exhibiter thereafter.
Prints of some of his famous pictures are to be found in Lissan House and these include "Cardinal Manning's Last Reception", Gladstone Introducing the Home Rule Bill", "The Ideal Cricket Match" now in the Pavillion at Lords, "The Last Shot at Wimbledon" and many more which may be viewed in galleries in England and N.Ireland.
He carried his pad and pencil everywhere and was constantly sketching people and events and these are truly delightful studies of Edwardian life in the early days; there are many pictures of his children - "the chicks" - he called them, and of course life in the country when he returned to Lissan for good.
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Ponsonby did not succeed to the title until his elder brother died in 1933. He had many unusual ideas, one of which was that the ills of modern life were a result of man's foolishness in insulating his body against the earth's magnetism by covering his feet in leather. Rubber soles he considered "absolute suicide." He used to walk barefoot, hence his nickname "The Barefoot Baronet" - he even listed this hobby in "Who;s Who" as one of his recreational activities.
His children and grandchildren loved him dearly and are proud of his achievement against so many difficulties and hope he may be a source of inspiration to many artists in the future.
Plaque Unveiled at Lissan
House
On the 20th August 2003 a Blue Plaque was awarded to the artist by the Ulster History Circle. It reads Sir Robert Ponsonby Staples Bart. 1853 - 1943 Artist Lived Here. An honour long overdue and a first for Cookstown.
Doreen Corcoran, Chairperson of Ulster History Circle, John McNamee, Chairman of Cookstown District Council and Mrs Hazel Dolling, granddaughter of the Artist performed the Ceremony which was followed by speeches and light refreshments in the Ballroom. Hazel (r) is wearing the Staples family silver brooch worn by the ladies of Lissan house.
Some of the Guests who
attended
