Ralph Hedley R.B.A.
Born 1849
Died 14 June 1913
Active: 1871 - 1913
Country of birth and death: England
Wood carver, sculptor, painter, business owner
Born in Gilling West near Richmond, Yorkshire. He was the son of Richard Hedley (born c.1820 in Leven Bridge, Yorkshire), joiner. The family had moved to Newcastle-upon-Tyne by 1851. Ralph developed a successful wood carving and architectural sculpture business (based on the number of his employees in 1881 and the value of his effects). His two daughters and two of his sons also became wood carvers. Roger (1879-1970) and Frederick (1884-1952) took over the running of the family firm on Ralph Hedley’s death in 1913, trading as Ralph Hedley (Craftsmen) Ltd.
Ralph was an accomplished painter who exhibited at the Royal Academy regularly between 1879-1911 (in 23 shows, 52 pictures in all). He also exhibited paintings at the Royal Society of British Artists (elected member, suffix R.B.A.), Royal Institute of Painters in Watercolour and at the Royal Scottish Academy, Edinburgh, as well as numerous local exhibitions organised by the Bewick Club and other societies in the north east of England.
This entry includes information submitted by Clodagh Brown who is creating the Ralph Hedley Archive, online at www.ralphhedleyarchive.com (accessed 28 July 2015).
Wealth at death: £7,516 10s. 11d.
Probate date: 30 August 1913
Locations
Address 107 Hinde Street Newcastle-upon-Tyne England | View on map
1871 (Circa)
Address 11 New Bridge Street Newcastle-upon-Tyne England | View on map
1879 (Circa) - 1911 (Circa)
He listed himself at this address in Royal Academy exhibition catalogues between these dates. It was his workshop and studio and he had other residential addresses during this period. This was the
address from which the carving business was run in his lifetime and which continued after his death as of Ralph Hedley (Craftsmen) Ltd.
Address 19 Shieldfield Green Newcastle-upon-Tyne England | View on map
1881 (Circa)
Address 19 Belle Grove Terrace Spital Tongues Newcastle-upon-Tyne England | View on map
1891 (Circa) - 1913
Living here when he died
Address 22 New Bridge Street Newcastle-upon-Tyne England | View on map
1913 (Circa)
This was Ralph Hedley’s painting studio and the address he gave in the last year that he showed at the Royal Academy.
Descriptions of Practice
Occupation given in Census Returns of England and Wales, 1871
'Carver' and his father, Richard and younger brother, Johnson (born c.1853) 'Joiner'
Occupation given in Census Returns of England and Wales, 1881
'Wood Carver Master emply. [employing] 9 Men, 1 Woman & 5 Boys'
Occupation given in Census Returns of England and Wales, 1891
'Sculptor' employer
Occupation given in Census Returns of England and Wales, 1901
'Sculp. Artist & Wood Carver' employer also his son, Roger (born c.1880) 'Wood Carver' worker
Occupation given in Census Returns of England and Wales, 1911
'Painter Artist & Wood Carver' employer also his son Frederick (born c.1883) 'Wood Carver'
Sources
Census Returns of England and Wales, 1861
2005
Class: RG9; Piece: 3815; Folio: 135; Page: 26; GSU roll: 543191
Census Returns of England and Wales, 1871
2004
Class: RG10; Piece: 5077; Folio: 50; Page: 31; GSU roll: 848424
Census Returns of England and Wales, 1881
2004
Class: RG11; Piece: 5063; Folio: 12; Page: 15; GSU roll: 1342222
Census Returns of England and Wales, 1891
2004
Class: RG12; Piece: 4204; Folio 7; Page 7; GSU roll: 6099314
Census Returns of England and Wales, 1901
2005
Class: RG13; Piece: 4779; Folio: 14; Page: 16
Census Returns of England and Wales, 1911
2011
RG14PN30558 RG78PN1752 RD558 SD2 ED1 SN215
England & Wales, FreeBMD Birth Index, 1837-1915
2006
Name: Ralph Hedley
Date of Registration: Jan-Feb-Mar 1849
Registration district: Richmond
Inferred County: Yorkshire - North Riding, North Yorkshire
Volume: 24
Page: 535
England & Wales, FreeBMD Death Index, 1837-1915
2006
Name: Ralph Hedley
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1849
Date of Registration: Apr-May-Jun 1913
Age at Death: 64
Registration district: Newcastle upon Tyne
Inferred County: Northumberland
Volume: 10b
Page: 62
England & Wales, National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administrations), 1858-1966
2010
Name: Ralph Hedley
Probate Date: 30 Aug 1913
Death Date: 14 Jun 1912
Death Place: Newcastle Upon Tyne, England
Registry: London
Citing this record
'Ralph Hedley R.B.A.', 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_1326200268, accessed 26 Sep 2023]
