Thomas J Clapperton
by Thomas Clapperton
Thomas J Clapperton (1879–1962) was a Scottish sculptor, famous for the statue of Robert the Bruce at the entrance of Edinburgh Castle erected in 1929.[1]
He was born in Galashiels, Selkirkshire in the Scottish Borders and studied at the Glasgow School of Art 1899-1901, the Kennington School of Art in London and then the Royal Academy Schools in 1904-5. After further studies in Paris and Rome, he set up studios at Chelsea and St. John's Wood, London, as a sculptor.[2]
His works in the Scottish Borders include the Mungo Park and Flodden memorials in Selkirk. After serving in India during World War I,[1] he produced the war memorials at Canonbie, Earlston, Galashiels, Minto and Selkirk.
Unlike the large group war memorials of Sir William Goscombe John, under whom Clapperton had studied at the Royal Academy, Clapperton's works are often of individual or equestrian figures.[2]
In collaboration with C L J Doman, he produced in 1926 the colossal frieze representing Britannia with the Wealth of East and West on the front of Liberty's department store, Regent Street, London. His work overseas includes a war memorial in New Zealand, sculpture in Canada and a fountain in California. His last important work was the 49th West Riding Reconnaissance Memorial in Wakefield Cathedral, in 1947.[1]
References
- 1 2 3 http://www.glasgowsculpture.com/pg_biography.php?sub=clapperton_tj retrieved March 2016
- 1 2 Historic Scotland web site http://portal.historic-scotland.gov.uk/designation/LB51163