‘My Hwomeward Road’ The Family Life of the Dorset Poet
Rebecca Danicic will present an illustrated and engaging talk on the life of Lucy Baxter (also known by her pen name Leader Scott), the fourth child of William and Julia Barnes. The talk will explore Lucy’s remarkable personal and professional journey, with particular emphasis on her life and career in Florence, Italy, where she became an influential art and architecture critic.
The event will also feature readings of William Barnes’ poems by members of the Society, offering a chance to experience his work alongside the story of his daughter’s international life and achievements. The afternoon will conclude with refreshments, providing an opportunity for informal discussion.
About the Speaker
Rebecca Danicic is the 2025–2026 Bard of Dorchester, serving as an ambassador for the arts across Dorchester and West Dorset. A poet herself, Rebecca studied English Literature at St Hilda’s College, Oxford, and Art History at the Courtauld Institute of Art. She later undertook in-depth research into Lucy Baxter’s career as an art and architecture critic in Florence, uncovering new insights into Lucy’s professional life and cultural influence. Rebecca will share the results of this research during the talk.
This event offers a unique opportunity to learn more about a fascinating figure connected to William Barnes, and to explore the rich literary and artistic networks that linked Dorset with Florence in the nineteenth century.
