Jewish painter to be honoured as 20th century LGBT icon

Historic England is to relist the home of a Jewish painter as one of 15 national figures honoured as 20th century LGBTQ icons.

The heritage organisation, whose initiative is timed to mark 50 years since homosexuality was partially decriminalised, this week named Hannah Gluckstein among the influential figures to be marked.

Gluckstein was born into a wealthy Jewish family in London in the early 20th century, her brothers later founding the J. Lyons & Co. coffee and catering empire. After school she moved to an artists’ colony in Cornwall, cropped her hair, insisted on being known only as ‘Gluck’ and wore only male clothing.

From the 1930s, until her death in 1978, she had several relationships with high-profile women of the era, and moved to Bolton House in Hampstead, her life subsidised by a family trust.

Heritage minister John Glen said it was “vital that we remember all the communities that have shaped our past,” adding: “I am delighted that we are recognising the significant contribution made by these outstanding people and protecting the places where they lived and worked for future generations.”