Leila Mechlin

Leila Mechlin (May 29, 1874 – ) was an American art critic. Writing from 1900 to 1946, she was the first female art critic in the United States. She was a cofounder of the American Federation of Arts and founding editor of its arts journal. She was an elected member of the Royal Society of Arts in London.

Early life Leila Mechlin was born on May 29, 1874, at 41 Gay Street (later 2818 N Street) in Georgetown, Washington, D.C. She was the daughter of commission agent Frederick Alexander Smith Mechlin and portrait and genre painter Cornelia Stout (Hyatt) Mechlin. Leila's maternal grandfather was a noted engraver who cofounded the Bureau of Engraving and Printing. In 1909, Mechlin was a cofounder (with figures like Andrew Mellon, J. P. Morgan and Presidents William Howard Taft and Theodore Roosevelt) of the American Federation of Arts, intended to promote American art and particularly touring of American art exhibitions to more remote parts of the United States; Mechlin served as its secretary until 1933. She founded and edited, from 1909 to 1931, the AFA's magazine, originally titled Art and Progress and later called the Magazine of Art.

She was a member of many clubs and associations, including the Literary Society of Washington, the Arts Club of Washington, Washington Society of Fine Arts (where she was secretary),

Awards and honors Leila Mechlin was awarded two honorary degrees: an honorary master of arts from George Washington University in 1921

Death and legacy Leila Mechlin died on May 6, 1949, in Washington, D.C. She was 74. At the time of her death she was residing at 1402 21st Street, NW, Washington.