Leicester was the youngest child of the Hemingways. He was born in 1915, and died in 1982. Because cameras were more developed and common during his youth, and because he was a boy, the most photographs were taken of him.
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Leicester as a baby. His gender is indeterminable from his clothing.
[1915]
As the youngest Hemingway child, Leicester was often taken care of by his siblings. Sunny rocks him in this photograph.
[1915]
Les is very active and playful, like his siblings and other infants. [1918]
Les sits in Windmere with a sense of independence.
Leicester looks very similar to a young girl. In her article, “A “Real Boy” and not a Sissy: Gender, Childhood, and Masculinity, 1890-1940”, Julia Grant examines the gender distinction between infants which does not exist until about age 5 or 6. Before this, the emphasis was on differentiating children from adults, not boys from girls. This can be seen by these Hemingway photographs, in which infants typically wear white to display a gender ambiguous innocence. [7]
In this staged photograph, Leicester appears to be a young girl. His dress, hair style, and reserved stance indicate his femininity. He is 2 and a half.
[1917]
Again, Les seems like a girl.
[1917]
Leicester has a certain masculinity here. He is wearing dark, male clothes and using a scooter, as though he is independent.
Leicester holds a gun that is much too large for him. This demonstrates the importance of hunting to the family, and its virile significance. He is age 3.
[1918]
Leicester and Carol play.
Les and Carol play. He is dressed as a Chinese warrior, implying warfare and masculinity even in play.
Leicester sits with Carol. She is holding a doll.
Les poses with a dog. Traditionally, dogs are the company of males in hunting and other activities.
Les in canoe, appearing independent and masculine.
Leicester and Madeleine are wearing similar outfits. The are dressed in masculine attire for leisure, such as playing with cats.
In this photograph, Les appears reserved and mature in his constraining coat and hat. His face is soft and delicate, almost feminine. He is 7 years old. [1922]
Leicester, far left, on a beach in Hawaii with Ursula and cousins. His masculinity is very youthful, rugged, and American.
Leicester is pictured with a bike, a toy which makes him masculine and commanding. He is 10 years old.
[1925]
The photograph is of Ernest as a man and Leicester as a child. Ernest, fishing, is the epitome of masculinity. Leicester was probably influenced by this characteristic of his only brother, who was 16 years older than him.