Early Life and Training Charles Robert Leslie, a name now synonymous with charming depictions of everyday life in 19th-century Britain, was born on October 19, 1794, in the bustling heart of London. His lineage traced back to American parents – Robert Charles, an American merchant, and Lydia Leslie, a woman of considerable social standing. At just five years old, the family embarked on a transatlantic journey, settling in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where young Charles received his initial education. However, it wasn’t long before the call of art proved too strong to resist. Initially appre…