Dear Clare, (if I may)
I would guess that this Allen Richardson is the Staffordshire sculptor
(1855-1929), who (for example) did a portrait bust of R.L. Stevenson
while he was in Hawaii. After his naval career, Hutchinson studied
under Lanteri - in the late 1870's, I think, and was certainly
exhibiting at the R.A. by 1883.
No doubt, if you are coming from Richardson's possible links to
Kipling, none of this is new. My point is that it is quite likely that
the two did meet, and share interests, from Staffordshire to Naval
service. Actually pinning down a connection is harder.
With a reasonable spelling mistake on RK's behalf, David Page's
reference to Kipling meeting Hutchinson at Buckingham Palace would
fit, too, because the artist had been Vice Consul to San Diego, and
returned to this country in 1927 or 1928.
I will search for references...
Regards,
John
John Walker
Honorary Librarian,
The Kipling Society
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