Francis John Williamson

Francis John Williamson was born in London in 1833. In his early sculpting career he was assistant to John Bell. He went on to assist J.H. Foley and would continue to work for him for 20 years. His talents were recognised at an early age and he was encouraged to go to Italy to study and work. Instead, he decided to the stay in England, and while he was visiting the town of Esher in Surrey he met Elizabeth Smith. The two married in 1857.

Williamson is well known for his creation of over two hundred portrait busts and a considerable number of public statues and memorials throughout Britain. He is particularly recognised for his treatment of textures like embroideries, lace, and draperies.

While still working for J.H. Foley, Williamson came to the attention of Queen Victoria, who visited the studio. She would become one of his most important patrons. She first commissioned Williamson to create a memorial at Claremont in 1870 to Princess Charlotte and her husband Prince Leopold. In 1887, Williamson was asked to create a statue of the Queen for the Royal College of Physicians, London, which was copied many times for various locations in the colonies.

Williamson frequently exhibited in the Royal Academy, a total of 38 times. Six of his works were ‘exhibited by command of H.M. the Queen’. Among his best-known works are Dean Milman in St Paul’s Cathedral (RA, 1867) and ‘Hetty and Dinah’ (RA, 1869 & 1870), purchased by the Queen.

Williamson also received a number of commissions from the municipal authorities in Birmingham. These included a marble bust of Shakespearian scholar Samuel Timmins and a statue of scientist Joseph Priestly.

Throughout his career Williamson would document his own work. His wife Elizabeth helped him taking these photograph and producing glass plate negatives. We are very lucky that these photographs have stood the test of time and have made their way into our archive.

The archive holds ninety-four photographs that record Williamson’s work, most of which are albumen prints mounted on board. These range from ideal and religious subjects to numerous portrait busts and memorials. There are also photographs of sketch models for Lord Byron and Robert Burns. There are also six modelling tools used by Williamson.