William McMillan (sculptor)

William McMillan RA (31 August 1887 – 25 September 1977) was a Scottish 20th-century sculptor.[1]

Syrinx by William McMillan, 1925
Triton and Dryads by William McMillan, a fountain in Regent's Park, London to Hubert Goetze dedicated as a memorial to him
Statue of Alcock and Brown at London Heathrow Airport
Statue of Thomas Coram, Brunswick Square, London

Early life

He was born at 37 Powis Place, Aberdeen, Scotland, the son of William McMillan, master engraver, and Jane Knight.[2]

He studied at Gray's Art School and then at the Royal College of Art, London from 1908 to 1912, under Édouard Lantéri.[3] McMillan joined The Artists Rifles in World War I and was Commissioned into the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry on 5 December 1915.

Career

For most of his career he had a studio at Glebe Place in Chelsea, London, and was a member of the Chelsea Arts Club. A faux blue plaque exists at 63 Glebe Place, stating "William McMillan lived here". Even if this were the correct address, Glebe Place was his place of work not residence.

In 1919 he was awarded a commission by the Government of the United Kingdom to design the artwork for the British Armed Forces World War 1 campaign medals, to be issued to all personnel who had seen active service in theatres of war during the conflict. For the Victory campaign medal he created a design utilizing a relief engraving of the Classical Greek war Goddess Nike, with the text THE GREAT WAR FOR CIVILISATION 1914–1919; and for the British War Medal he sculpted a relief in Greek Classical style of Saint George upon a horse trampling the emblems of the defeated II Reich. This would be the most prolific artwork of his career, with almost twelve million of these medals being issued in combination within the United Kingdom and across the globe throughout the British Empire.[4]

He was elected an associate of the Royal Academy in 1925, a full member in 1933 and a Senior RA in 1962. From 1929 to 1941 he was Master of the Royal Academy Sculpture School.[5]

From 1940 to 1966 he became involved in a number of important and prestigious public commissions, and became more widely recognised at international level.

Death

In his later years he lived at No.3 Cholmondley Walk, Richmond-upon-Thames.[6] Shortly after his 90th birthday in September 1977 he was assaulted and robbed. He died of his injuries on 25 September 1977 in a hospital in Richmond upon Thames.[1] His body was buried at Richmond Cemetery.[7]

Personal life

In 1916, he married Dorothy, daughter of the Carlisle architect Maurice Charles Williams. They had no children.

Honours

He was made a Commander of the Royal Victorian Order (CVO) in 1956. His home city of Aberdeen made him a Freeman of the City and Aberdeen University conferred an honorary doctorate upon him.

Exhibitions

McMillan exhibited at the Royal Academy from 1917 until 1971.

Works

References
  1. Oxford National Dictionary of Biography: McMillan
  2. Oxford Dictionary of National Biography:McMillan
  3. Tate. "William McMillan (1887–1977) – Tate".
  4. Joslin, Litherland and Simpkin. British Battles and Medals. pp. 230–1. Published Spink, London. 1988.
  5. McMillan's file at the RA.
  6. 'Pepopl of historical note buried in the Borough of Richmond-upon-Thames, Richmond Borough Council website (2019). https://www.richmond.gov.uk/people_of_historial_note_buried_in_the_borough_m_to_z
  7. Meller, Hugh; Parsons, Brian (2011). London Cemeteries: An Illustrated Guide and Gazetteer (fifth ed.). Stroud, Gloucestershire: The History Press. pp. 290–294. ISBN 9780752461830.
  8. "The Scottish Military Research Group – Commemorations Project :: View topic – William McMillan".
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