Benjamin Williams Leader R.A. became, during his lifetime, one of the most prolific and widely acclaimed Victorian landscape painters. This study covers his personal and artistic life and his long career of over seventy years. Working within the tradition of British landscape painting, and influenced by his lifelong admiration of John Constable, Leader's extensive coverage of the British countryside and coastal scenes reveals the distinctive and independent style he developed. He was to become a master at exploiting different natural effects of light, especially the amber luminosity of the late afternoon sun which became his trademark.This is the first definitive assessment of the artist and his work since 1901. It uncovers previously unused material and corrects many previous errors and misconceptions about B. W. Leader and his works. Major sources include the artist's diaries, records of paintings sold, his letters, British and overseas exhibition catalogues, review and archive material. Extensive color plates show samples of his paintings spanning his long career, different locations and evolving style.