Thomas Campbell (1 May 1790 – 4 February 1858) was a Scottish sculptor in the early 19th century. He has several important public works, most notably a statue of Sarah Siddons in Westminster Abbey. He also has several works in the National Gallery in London. He was heavily patronised by the British aristocracy, as evidenced by his works.
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Life
He was born in Tolbooth parish in Edinburgh Old Town. He was the son of Douglas Campbell, "gentleman servant", and Helen Thorburn.
He was apprenticed to John Marshall, marble cutter on Leith Walk. During his apprenticeship he befriended James Locke, later to be credited with the naming Tweed. Whilst at Marshall's, over three years, he sculpted two figures for the facade of the Royal Bank of Scotland, which around 1817 attracted the patronage of Gilbert Innes of Stow, depute governor of the Bank. He paid for Campbell to study at the Royal Academy Schools in London from 1818, and also permitted him to set up a studio in Rome, Italy in 1819, where a connection continued until 1830. In Rome he met with both Antonio Canova and Bertel Thorvaldsen.
In London he studied under Joseph Nollekens and assisted Edward Hodges Baily.
He was briefly assisted in Rome and London by his much younger and short-lived brother, James Campbell (1810–1833).
His London studio was originally at 28 Leicester Square. From 1833 to 1857 his studio was at 15/16 Great Marlborough Street, London.
He died unmarried at 1 Great Castle Street in London. He is buried in Kensal Green Cemetery in London.
Principal works
Heads on the frontage of St Mary's RC Cathedral, Edinburgh (1813)
Bust of Professor Robert Blair (1815)
Two figures for the facade of the Royal Bank of Scotland, Edinburgh (1817)
"Ganymede" for Lord Kinnaird, Rossie Priory (1821)
Bust of Gilbert Innes of Stow (his patron), Scottish National Portrait Gallery (1821)
Bronze bust of Henry Raeburn, Scottish National Portrait Gallery (1822)
"The Young Ascanius", marble figure, National Gallery of Scotland (1822)
Bust of the Duke of Devonshire (his patron), Chatsworth House (1823)
Bust of Lady Cullum, Town Hall, Bury St. Edmunds (1824)
Busts of the Duke of York and Duke of Wellington, Stratfield Saye (1825–27)
Bust of Pope Pius VII, Royal Collection (1826)
Bust of Cardinal Ercole Consalvi, Royal Collection (1826)
The Hopetoun Monument (dismounted bronze equestrian figure of Sir John Hope, governor 1820–23), Dundas House, Edinburgh (1824–29) (originally designed as a centrepiece for Charlotte Square, put in current location in 1834)
Duchess of Buccleuch monument in Warkton Parish Church in Northamptonshire (1827)