Ford Madox Brown was a leading figure in the development of Pre-Raphaelite painting. His remarkable diary (1847-1850 and 1854-1858) is the most revealing and soul-searching kept by a painter. In 1853, Brown married Emma Hill, his model since she was 15 years old. In 1861 he became a founder member of the decorating firm of Morris, Marshall, Faulkner and Co, for which he designed furniture and stained glass. From 1878 until his death he designed 12 frescoes illustrating the city’s history for Manchester Town Hall.
