Thomas Stirling Lee (London, 16 March 1857 – 29 June 1916, London) was an English sculptor, specialising in reliefs and portrait heads.[1]

Early life

Lee was born in Lambeth, London on 16 March 1857, the son of John Swanwick Lee, a surveyor.[2] He was educated at Westminster School and then served as an apprentice in the studio of John Birnie Philip.[2][3]

Lee studied at the Royal Academy Schools from 1876 to 1880, where he won both a Gold Medal and a Travelling Scholarship.[1] In 1880–1881 he studied under Pierre-Jules Cavelier at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris, and then studied in Rome until 1883.[1]

Career

Lee's commission for 28 panels for the exterior of St George's Hall, Liverpool, resulting from an open competition held by Liverpool City Council in 1882,[2] is regarded as his most important,[2] but it was the subject of controversy,[2] when the first two featured naked girls,[2] depicting "the child Justice" and "the girl Justice".[3] Lee only completed six of the 28 panels, but was subsequently commissioned to make two, and oversee all, of a further set of six on the theme of 'National Prosperity'.[2]

He was a member of the National Portrait Society from 1910 to 1915,[1] a member and twice chairman of the Chelsea Arts Club[2][4] and a member of the International Society of Sculptors, Painters and Gravers.[5] Stirling was an active member of the Art Workers' Guild and was elected Master in 1898.[4]

Lee died at St George's Hospital, Knightsbridge, London[2] on 29 June 1916.[6] His friends subscribed to a fund for a bronze panel on the family vault at New Southgate.[2]

Works

Lee's work includes:

• Bas-reliefs for Leeds Town Hall[1]
• Carvings for Westminster Cathedral[1]
• Bronze statue of Charles Gore, First Bishop of Birmingham, outside Birmingham Cathedral (1914)[7] - 52.48106°N 1.89821°W / 52.48106; -1.89821
• The Progress of Justice series of bas reliefs, left of the central portico on Saint George's Hall, Liverpool,[3] 1885–1894
• The National Progress series, right of the portico on Saint George's Hall,[3] 1898–1901
• Doors with scenes of male friendship, Adelphi Bank, Liverpool[3]

References