Marshall Wood
Born 1836 (Circa)
Died 16 July 1882
Active: 1851 - 1881
Country of birth and death: England
Sculptor, medallist, artist
Born in Manchester. He was the son of Hamilton Wood (born c.1805-11), a merchant and manufacturer, whose changing business fortunes created an uncertain backdrop to his children's upbringing. Marshall's older brother was the sculptor, Shakespeare Wood (1827-86) who ultimately settled in Rome. (A more detailed account of the family is given in the record for Shakespeare Wood).
At present no details of Marshall Wood's training are known. However, he began showing work at the Royal Academy in 1854, and was a regular exhibitor for the next twenty years. He also showed work in Edinburgh (where his father had business interests) in 1856. It is evident that he enjoyed considerable success because by 1871 his wife, children and two servants were resident in Reigate, suggesting Wood was commuting to Osnaburgh Street to his studio. He also left a considerable sum of money at his death in 1882. Wood's son, Percy Guy (1860-1904) was also a sculptor although little is known about his career.
A brief obituary in the 'Art Journal' described him as an artist who was 'also a sculptor' but so far the only works connected to him are sculptures. The 'Art Journal' credits Wood with having executed statues of Queen Victoria for Melbourne, Sydney, Montreal, Calcutta, and Ottowa. A further statue destined for Toronto was shown at the Royal Academy in 1875. Wood also executed three portraits of HRH The Prince of Wales (shown at the RA in 1863, 1864 and 1875) and a bust of the Princess of Wales (shown 1864). There is one work by Wood listed in the Royal Collection.
'Obituary: Marshall Wood', 'Art Journal', September 1882, p. 287.
Wealth at death: £4,643 13s. 4d.
Probate date: 21 December 1882
Locations
Address Caroline Place St Pancras London | View on map
1841 (Circa)
Address 3 St John's Wood Road London | View on map
1854 (Circa)
Address 74 Newman Street London | View on map
1855 (Circa)
Address 27 South Castle Street Edinburgh | View on map
1856 (Circa)
Address 16 Howland Street London | View on map
1857 (Circa) - 1859 (Circa)
Address 120 Sloane Street Chelsea London | View on map
1860 (Circa) - 1861 (Circa)
Address 12 Harrington Street London | View on map
1863 (Circa)
Address 17 Osnaburgh Street Regent's Park London | View on map
1864 (Circa) - 1880 (Circa)
This is listed as Wood's prior address in the probate calendar.
Address The Rookery Chaldon Lane Reigate | View on map
1871 (Circa)
In the Census Return of 1871, Fannie H. Wood Marshall Wood's wife (born c.1839 in Dorchester, Dorset), two of their children and servants are resident at this address. It is possible Marshall lived here and travelled to his studio in Osnaburgh Street to work.
Address 12 Powis Square Brighton | View on map
1881 (Circa) - 1882
Died at this address.
Exhibitions, Meetings, Awards and other Events
Exhibited at The Exhibition of the Royal Academy of Arts (Summer Exhibition), 1768-
1854 - 1875
Exhibited 12 times, twenty-four works in all (chiefly portrait busts, statues and medallions but also some ideal works. Among the portraits were three of HRH The Prince of Wales (one for the Guildhall), one of HRH The Princess of Wales and a statue of Queen Victoria for the Houses of Parliament in Toronto).
Exhibited at The Royal Scottish Academy Exhibition, 1826-
1856
Exhibited at the annual exhibition 1 time: 1856 (2 works)
Personal and Professional Connections
Brother/sibling of Shakespeare Wood
Shakespeare was the older brother.
Mother/father/parent of Percy Guy Wood
Descriptions of Practice
Occupation given in Census Returns of England and Wales, 1861
'Sculptor'
Occupation given in Census Returns of England and Wales, 1881
'Artist Sculptor' and his son, Percy (1860-1904, born in Chelsea, London), 'Student. Art'.
Occupation given in Census Returns of England and Wales, 1871
Fannie H Wood (Mrs Marshall Wood born c.1839 in Dorchester, Dorset) 'Sculptor's wife'
Sources
Census Returns of England and Wales, 1841
2010
HO107 piece 682 folio 5/4 page 5
Census Returns of England and Wales, 1861
2005
RG09 piece 38 folio 10 page 13
Census Returns of England and Wales, 1871
2004
RG10 piece 833 folio 44 page 3
Census Returns of England and Wales, 1881
2004
RG11 piece 1094 folio 40 page 4
England & Wales, National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administrations), 1858-1966
2010
Name: Marshall Wood
Probate Date: 21 Dec 1882
Death Date: 16 Jul 1882
Death Place: Middlesex, England
Registry: Principal Registry
Citing this record
'Marshall Wood', 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=msib1_1268130478, accessed 04 Jun 2023]
