Boehm

Boehm, Sib Joseph Edgar, was born in Vienna of Hungarian parentage in 1834, his father being director of the Austrian Mint. He was in England to pursue his studies as a sculptor from 1848 to 1851, but it was not until 1862, after he had distinguished himself at home, that he permanently settled in London. His natural abilities, aided by Royal patronage, soon brought him to the front. He had in 1867 executed a colossal statue of the Queen, and several of his works, including the memorials of Princess Alice, the Prince Imperial, and the Emperor Frederick, are to be seen at Windsor. Among other specimens of his skill the most noteworthy are the statues of Sir John Burgoyne, Lord Lawrence, and Lord Napier of Magdala, in Waterloo Place, and of William Tyndal and Thomas Carlyle on the Thames Embankment, of Lord John Russell in Westminster Hall, of the Duke of Wellington at Hyde Park Corner, and of John Bunyan. Boehm cannot, perhaps, be ranked among the greatest sculptors, for he seldom attempted more than the elevation of modern portraiture to a decent artistic level, but he succeeded admirably in what he undertook. He was appointed Sculptor in Ordinary to the Queen in 1881, and Royal Academician in 1882. He died very suddenly on December 12th, 1890, and at Her Majesty's desire was buried with full honours in St. Paul's Cathedral.