Hubert Léonard was born on April 7, 1819 in Bellaire, Belgium (near Liège).  He first studied violin with his father, making his debut in 1832.  Also in this year he entered the Brussels Conservatory, and later studied under François-Antoine Habeneck (1781–1849) at the Paris Conservatory.  His career as touring virtuoso began in 1845.  In 1853 he succeeded Bériot as violin professor at the Brussels Conservatory and remained there until 1866.  In this year he returned to Paris where he taught, composed, and concertized.  He returned to Belgium briefly during the Franco-Prussian War, but soon returned to Paris.  He died on May 6, 1890.  His compositions include five violin concerti, fantasias and other assorted works for the violin, including a cadenza to the Beethoven violin concerto.