Barnett Freedman (1901–1958) Barnett Freedman was born in Stepney, East London, the son of Louis Freedman, a journeyman tailor, and Reiza Ruk, Jewish immigrants from Russia. His early life was marked by hardship; he suffered extended periods of illness as a child and received minimal formal education after age nine, spending time convalescing at the London Hospital where he developed his passion for drawing and music. This formative experience instilled in him a dedication to artistic pursuits that would define his entire career. At fifteen, Freedman secured employment as an office boy befo…