Artist. He was born in York but grew up in London, where he worked in his father's plaster-casting studio whilst studying classical literature. In 1770, he entered the Royal Academy Schools and became a friend of William Blake. Five years later, he began to work for Josiah Wedgwood as a designer of classical friezes and medallions and, from 1787 to 1794, was the director of Wedgwood's studios in Rome. He became a Member of the Royal Academy in 1800, and its first Professor of Sculpture in 1810. In addition to his book illustrations for the Iliad, the Odyssey and the Divine Comedy, he is noted for his memorials in Westminster Abbey (the Earl of Mansfield) and in St. Paul's Cathedral (Nelson's tomb, 1808-1818). Unfortunately, very little of the inscription on his grave is legible.
Artist. He was born in York but grew up in London, where he worked in his father's plaster-casting studio whilst studying classical literature. In 1770, he entered the Royal Academy Schools and became a friend of William Blake. Five years later, he began to work for Josiah Wedgwood as a designer of classical friezes and medallions and, from 1787 to 1794, was the director of Wedgwood's studios in Rome. He became a Member of the Royal Academy in 1800, and its first Professor of Sculpture in 1810. In addition to his book illustrations for the Iliad, the Odyssey and the Divine Comedy, he is noted for his memorials in Westminster Abbey (the Earl of Mansfield) and in St. Paul's Cathedral (Nelson's tomb, 1808-1818). Unfortunately, very little of the inscription on his grave is legible.
Bio by: Iain MacFarlaine
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