Thomas White (sculptor)
Thomas White of Worcester (1674–1748) was an 18th century British sculptor and architect.
Life
[edit]He was born and raised in Worcester. He went to London around 1686 and became apprenticed to a stonemason in the Piccadilly district.[1] Some sources also state that he was a pupil of Christopher Wren. His architectural works do bear some similarities. Working in a stoneyard in central London in this period would have certainly brought him into contact with Wren.[2]
Having served his apprenticeship he returned to Worcester around 1694 and in 1709 the city declared him a Freeman of the City for his fine statue of Queen Anne which sits above the entrance of the city's Guildhall.[3]
He spent most of his working life in Worcester but created work of very high quality. From around 1720 he began to receive commissions for churches.[4] He operated two stoneyards: one in Worcester and one in Shrewsbury.[3]
He died unmarried in 1748. In his will he left a substantial sum to the newly built Worcester Infirmary.[5]
Works
[edit]- Tomb of Adam Cave in All Saint's Church in Evesham (1698)
- Tomb of Bishop Thomas in Worcester Cathedral (c.1700)
- Tomb of Mrs Nanfan at Birtsmorton parish church (1704)
- Tomb of Sir John Turton in Alrewas parish church (1707)
- Statue of Queen Anne, Worcester Guildhall (1709)
- Statue of King Charles I in Worcester (1712)
- Monument to Sir John Bridgeman, 2nd Baronet in Llanyblodwel (1719)
- Monument to Henrietta Wrottesley in Worcester Cathedral (1720)
- Statue of Bishop Hough on All Saint's Church in Worcester (c.1720)
- Decorative carvings at Worcester Guildhall (1721 to 1724)
- Monument to Admiral Skynner in Ledbury (1725)
- Monument to Rev Josiah Foster in Aston, Birmingham (1727)
- Figure of Britannia on a house in Worcester
- Bust of King George II of Great Britain on Edgar's Tower in Worcester
- Monument to Mary Lyster in St Mary's Church in Shrewsbury (1730)
- John the Baptist Church in Gloucester (1732)
- Monument to John Holte in Ripple, Worcestershire (1735)
- St Swithin's Church, Worcester (1736)
- All Saint's Church, Worcester (1738-1742)
- Monument to George Peyton in Tewkesbury Abbey (1742)
- Monument to John Brydges at Bosbury (1742)
- Monument to Roger Mathews in Llanyblodwel (1748)
- St Nicholas Church, Worcester (dnk)
References
[edit]- ^ Dictionary of British Sculptors 1660-1851 by Rupert Gunnis p.86
- ^ "The city of Worcester: City churches and advowsons | British History Online". www.british-history.ac.uk.
- ^ a b Dictionary of British Sculptors 1660-1851 by Rupert Gunnis p.430
- ^ Burlington Magazine vol.84 May 1944
- ^ "History of Worcester Royal Infirmary". wrinl.org.uk.