Sir John Le Marchant was not primarily known as an artist, but rather as a distinguished British military officer and administrator. Born on February 9, 1864, in London, England, he was the son of John Gaspard Le Marchant, a high-ranking officer in the British Army, and followed in his father's footsteps by pursuing a military career.
Le Marchant was educated at Eton College and the Royal Military College, Sandhurst. After completing his education, he was commissioned into the British Army in 1882. Throughout his career, Le Marchant served in various British colonies and was involved in several military campaigns. His service took him to locations such as South Africa, where he participated in the Anglo-Zulu War and the Boer War.
In 1916, during World War I, Le Marchant was appointed the Lieutenant Governor of Guernsey, one of the Channel Islands. His tenure there was marked by the challenges of the wartime occupation and the need to maintain the island's defense. After the war, he continued to serve in various administrative roles until his retirement.
Le Marchant was knighted in 1920 for his military service. In addition to his military and administrative career, he may have had personal interests in the arts, as was common among gentlemen of his era, but he did not achieve recognition as a professional artist.
Sir John Le Marchant passed away on January 17, 1947. His legacy is primarily that of a military man and colonial administrator, and while he may have had an appreciation for the arts, his biography is more reflective of his service to his country than of contributions to the field of art.