Anne Laura Herford (1831–1870) was a British artist in the early 19th century, and in 1860, was the first woman to be admitted to the Royal Academy schools.
She studied under Eliza Fox (1824–1903), an artist best known for her genre and portraiture scenes which incorporated contemporary social commentary.
[4] She exhibited at the Royal Academy from 1861 to 1869 and also at the Suffolk Street Gallery and the British Institution.
[5] Hereford exhibited in 1864 a picture entitled A Quiet Corner, and followed up her success by similar domestic scenes in 1865, 1866, and 1867.
She was admitted and an offer was made to "L. Herford, Esq" and she took up her place at the academy in 1860.