Joseph Shepherd Wyon

Joseph Shepherd Wyon (28 July 1836 – 12 August 1873) was a British medallist and seal-engraver.

Life

Born in London on 28 July 1836,[1] he was the eldest son of Benjamin Wyon. He was educated by his father, and studied in the Royal Academy Schools, where he gained two silver medals.[2]

On 2 December 1858 Wyon was appointed Chief Engraver of the Seals, a post previously held by his father, Benjamin Wyon, and grandfather, Thomas Wyon the elder. He died at Winchester on 12 August 1873.[2]

Works
Medal of James Watt, by Joseph Shepherd Wyon

Wyon's first important work was a medal of James Watt. On Robert Stephenson's recommendation, it was adopted as the prize medal of the Institution of Civil Engineers.[2]

In his work as a medallist, Wyon was aided by his brothers Alfred Benjamin Wyon and Allan Wyon. The medals are often signed "J. S. and A. B. Wyon". They included:[2]

  • 1861, Steevens's Hospital medals, Dublin (Cusack prize);
  • 1863, Seal of the Confederate States.[3]
  • 1863, entry of Princess Alexandra into London;
  • 1846–65, New Zealand war medal;
  • 1867, confederation of provinces of Canada;
  • the great seal of the dominion of Canada;
  • reception of the sultan of Turkey in London;
  • 1867–8, Abyssinian war medal; and
  • 1872, Prince of Wales's recovery.

Notes
  1. L. Forrer, Wyon, Joseph Shepherd (1916). Biographical Dictionary of Medallists. Volume 6. London: Spink & Son Ltd. pp. 588–592.
  2. Lee, Sidney, ed. (1900). "Wyon, Joseph Shepherd" . Dictionary of National Biography. 63. London: Smith, Elder & Co.
  3. Historical Notes, The South Carolina Historical and Genealogical Magazine Vol. 9, No. 2 (Apr., 1908), pp. 102-103. Published by: South Carolina Historical Society. Stable URL: https://www.jstor.org/stable/27575191
Attribution

 This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Lee, Sidney, ed. (1900). "Wyon, Joseph Shepherd". Dictionary of National Biography. 63. London: Smith, Elder & Co.

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