Percy Guy Wood

Other names: In some sources: Percy Grey

Born 29 September 1860
Died 1904

Active: 1881 - 1895

Country of birth and death: England

Sculptor

Born in Chelsea, London. He was the son of Marshall Wood (c.1839-1882), sculptor and medallist. Percy's uncle was also a sculptor - Shakespeare Wood (1827-86) who worked in Rome from about 1851 until his death. One of his documented public works was the monument to Jack Crawford in Mowbray Park, Tyne and Wear, Sunderland. This is a bronze statue cast by the foundry at Coalbrookdale. The work was paid for by public subscription and unveiled on 7 April 1890. [For further details see the entry in 'Public sculpture of North-East England', pp. 182-3]. The registration of his death in Lambeth may indicate that around 1904 he was involved with one of the large architectural sculpture firms based in that area.

One of Wood's major commissions was the Brant Memorial in Brantford, Ontario. An account of this commission and of Percy Wood's career was given by ‘The Daily Expositor’ on October 13, 1886 which has been transcribed and is available online [see below]. This states that:

"Mr. Percy Wood, the sculptor of the Brant Monument is the elder son of the late eminent sculptor, Mr. Marshall Wood, who we may remark visited Brantford several years ago and was known to many of our citizens. The subject of this sketch was born in London, England, and comes from a family celebrated in the art world. His father's works are known and appreciated all over the world for their beauty of conception and purity of ideal treatment. Mr. Shakespeare Wood, an uncle of our subject, achieved considerable distinction as a sculptor and archeologist.

Mr. Percy Wood received his education at University College, London, England, and studied medicine for some little time. The knowledge of anatomy thus acquired has doubtless proved serviceable in the profession that he subsequently adopted. Mr. Wood was present with his father at the unveiling of the statue of Her Majesty in Montreal by Lord Dufferin in 1871, and also attended at the erection of a statue in Calcutta in 1879, to mark the assumption by the Queen of the title of the Empress of India. On the death of his father, Mr. Percy Wood at once commenced completing the works his father left unfinished in his studio, and even now we hear there are many commissions incomplete. Amongst the works in Mr. Wood's atelier are a large monument to the ancient family of Blaxland of Blaxland Tower, who fought under Richard I, in the Crusades; a memorial to the late Bishop of Adelaide for the Government of South Australia, and an unfinished ideal statue (female) intended as an embodiment of the beautiful fables of ancient mythology. Since Mr. Percy Wood's stay in Canada, his services have been retained for several important works, among them a memorial to the late Col. Williams, at Port Hope, and busts of the Hon. Wm. McMaster, one for McMaster Hall, Toronto, and a replica for the Baptist College at Woodstock, Ontario, also largely endowed by that noble philanthropist. There is little doubt but the impression created by the Brant Memorial, will still further add to his reputation - and here we may add that the time occupied in the execution of the commission, scarce three years, was marvelously short, and reflects still greater credit upon Mr. Wood. Yet a young man, he has brilliant prospects before him. He is a diligent worker, has faith in his ability to conceive and execute, and allows nothing to stand in his way when seeking information or gathering material for designing purposes. Mr. Wood, on this last visit to Ontario, is accompanied by his wife. They have occupied a suite of rooms at the Kerby House, and have formed very many friendly attachments in social circles here. Mr. and Mrs. Wood will return to England very shortly.

Before concluding our reference to Mr. Wood it may not be out of place to state the fact of his having been adopted into the Mohawk tribe during this period of his residence in Brantford. The ceremony took place at Lady Dufferin Grove, a lovely spot near Onondaga, on the 25th of August, 1886, in the presence of a number of leading Indian people and Brantford citizens. The day was the anniversary of the visit of the Earl of Dufferin to the Six Nation Reservation in 1874. After luncheon had been served, the chair was taken by Peter Hill, farmer, who called upon Chief John Buck, the Fire Keeper, and Chief Daniel Thomas, to perform the ceremony of adopting into the Six Nations two white persons whom the Indians were pleased to regard with favor. These were Miss Clara Kendall, of this city, and Mr. Percy Wood. The Expositor reporting the proceedings said: - Miss Kendall was the first to have the rite conferred. As she stepped forward, Chief John Buck placed a string of wampum about her neck and led in the customary song. Miss Kendall was adopted into the Cayuga tribe and was given the name of AKan-ah-wi-dah, meaning 'Always making peace'. The Fire Keeper made a short address, enjoining those who in the future addressed the young lady, to do so by her Indian name; and that she should always be looked upon to preserve peace between the whites and Indians. Mr. Wood followed, and was adopted by a similar ceremony into the Mohawk tribe, and now rejoices in the title of ARa-rih-wa-gas-dash, by interpretation 'A thing that lasts', evidently an allusion to the monument he is erecting. Miss Irene Washburne very prettily sang a song and was obliged to respond to an encore. She was followed by Mr. Cleghorn, who referred to the constant loyalty of the Indians, exhibited in this mark of their remembrance of Lord Dufferin. The people next called for a chorus from the Martin family, which was responded to by them singing 'The Mountaineer's Farewell'. This family sang charmingly, the chorus being composed of Mrs. Powless, Miss Washburne, Chas. Martin and Geo. W. Martin, ably assisted by Mrs. James Styres and Wm. Reep. Messrs. A. Robertson and Percy Wood followed in brief addresses, and the exceedingly pleasant day was closed by three cheers for Lord and Lady Dufferin and the chairman, and the singing of the national anthem by the entire assemblage."

There is further information about the Brant Memorial in a pamphlet that was issued to commemorate its restoration in 2001: https://www3.brantford.ca/inventory.nsf/e6a90eb030f9a3d485256cfe006dc8bf/1f959a94ad17e0d085256aef006b42ed/$FILE/Brant%20Monument%20Rededication%20Booklet.pdf (accessed 13 May 2019). This link was submitted by Brittany Webster.

Citing this record

'Percy Guy 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_1277750454, accessed 08 Jun 2023]