Walter Herbert Singer
Born 1853
Died 27 January 1922
Active: 1870 - 1922
Country of birth and death: England
Bronze founder, metal worker
Born in Frome, Somerset. He was the son of John Webb Singer founder of the Frome Art Metal Works (1848), which was a forerunner of Morris Singer Co. Walter became a designer for the company in the late 1860s or early 1870s and studied at the National Art Training School from 1871-3 as a National Scholar. On his return to Frome he became more heavily involved in the company, and was joined in this work by his younger brother, Edgar Ratcliffe (1857-1947). They took over running of the foundry from their father manager for the company before 1891 and took over running the company from his father as managing director in 1899. At this date Singers became a private limited liability company. Walter was named as one of the executors of his father's estate together with his brother, Edgar Ratcliffe.
Wealth at death: £25,042 11s. 1d.
Probate date: 7 April 1922
Institutional and Business Connections
Student at Royal College of Art (including National Art Training School)
1871 - 1873
He was a National Scholar between these dates.
Traded as Singers of Frome
1891 (Circa) - 1922
Personal and Professional Connections
Brother/sibling of Edgar Ratcliffe Singer
Daughter/son/child of John Webb Singer
Descriptions of Practice
Occupation given in Census Returns of England and Wales, 1891
'Art Metal Work Manufacturer' employer
Occupation given in Census Returns of England and Wales, 1901
'Manufacturer Art Metal Works' employer
Sources
Census Returns of England and Wales, 1891
2004
Class: RG12; Piece: 1906; Folio 25; Page 8; GSU roll: 6097016
Census Returns of England and Wales, 1901
2001
RG number: RG13 Piece: 2308 Folio:
23 Page: 3
England & Wales, FreeBMD Birth Index, 1837-1915
2006
Name: Walter Herbert John Singer
Registration Year: 1853
Registration Quarter: Jul-Aug-Sep
Registration district: Frome
Parishes for this Registration District: View Ecclesiastical Parishes associated with this Registration District
Inferred County: Somerset
Volume: 5c
Page: 536
England & Wales, National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administrations), 1858-1966
2010
Name: Walter Herbert Singer
Probate Date: 7 Apr 1922
Death Date: 27 Jan 1922
Death Place: Somerset, England
Registry: Wells
Citing this record
'Walter Herbert Singer', Mapping the Practice and Profession of Sculpture in Britain and Ireland 1851-1951, University of Glasgow History of Art and HATII, online database 2011 [http://sculpture.gla.ac.uk/view/person.php?id=ann_1299012273, accessed 03 Jul 2022]
