Millais and Rossetti were met as students; the three founded the Pre-Raphaelite brotherhood under Ruskin’s inspiration. Ruskin, a good friend and mentor, encouraged Hunt to paint evangelical themes (Hunt’s strong Christian faith did not preclude unapologetic bigotry about blacks, Jews and Arabs). Carlyle was a neighbour and friend, and encouraged Hunt’s Near Eastern travels; Hunt brought back a camel skeleton, but became more distanced from Millais and Rossetti. Tennyson got on well with him and accompanied him on a walking tour of Devon and Cornwall. Lear, a long-term friend, learned about colour and light from him.