Thomas Healey Portrait painting of a seated Thomas Healey (Jnr) [born c.1840 and died c.1930]. Healey was a violinist who played his instrument to test the acoustics of the Royal Albert Hall at a concert on 3 December 1870 in the presence of HM Queen Victoria, a few months before she formally opened the Hall in March 1871. Healey was brought up in Burnley, Lancashire. His last address was 108 Mortlake Road, Kew Gardens, London. He died a widower aged 90 years with four surviving children. In an obituary [unknown publication and date] it is stated that he was the son of the late Mr Thomas Healey, known as the "father of Burnley musicians", and that he himself was a violinist of ability and a member of the old Burnley Choral Society. He was awarded the Prince Consort's Gold Medal and purse of gold in 1865 for having gained more first-class certificates in science and art subjects than any other student in the country. His abilities were recognised when he was appointed by the Board of Education to a position in the science and arts department at South Kensington, a position he held until failing eyesight necessitated his retirement at the age of 60 years. He was a cousin of Mr F A Hargreaves JP and Mr Thomas Hargreaves of Burnley. It is believed the portrait was painted to mark the time of his retirement and shows a bearded Healey seated and wearing gold rimmed spectacles, three piece suit and a gold fob watch. 1900