Herbert William Ward

Other names: Herbert Fitzedwin

Born 11 January 1863
Died 5 August 1919

Active: 1895 - 1914

Country of birth: England

Country of death: France

Sculptor, painter, writer

Born in London. He was the son of Edwin Ward who is probably the elder brother of (James) Rowland Ward (1847-1912), a taxidermist who ran one of the most successful businesses of this type in London between 1870 and his death (the business continued until 1983). Edwin and Rowland were originally in business together and the former is the presumed author of 'Knapsack Manual for Sportsman on the Field', London, 1872 which is a guide to big game hunting around the world. However, Edwin and Rowland were the sons of Edwin Ward senior (1812-78) also a naturalist so there is some uncertainty between the generations.

Herbert evidently inherited a taste for adventure because in 1878 he travelled to New Zealand, Australia, Borneo and Africa. By the time he was 21 he claimed to have been three times round the world and worked as a sailor, cattle rancher and leader of expeditions. In 1884 he joined Sir Henry M. Stanley's expedition to the Congo. Herbert organized transport services, going far into the interior to set up stations and recruit carriers. He already had a long standing interest in art and began amassing a collection on his travels.

In about 1890 he set up a studio in London and married Sarita, daughter of S.C. Sandon of New York. After a decade he decided France was a more congenial place to make and exhibit his work so moved himself and his family to Paris. Between c.1900-1914 he exhibited frequently at the Paris Salon and won medals. He published several volumes of reminiscences: 'Five years with the Congo cannibals', London, 1890; 'My Life with Stanley's Rear-Guard', Chatto and Windus, London, 1901; 'The Voice from the Congo', William Heinemann, London, 1910 and 'Mr. Poilu: Notes and Sketches with the Fighting French', Hodder & Stoughton, London, 1916.

At the outbreak of war, he was too old to serve in the armed forces so became attached as a Lieutenant in No. 3 Convoy of the British Ambulance Committee. He distinguished himself in the ambulance service but his exertions weakened his heart and he died in 1919. According to the entry in 'Who was Who', he died in Rolleboise, Seine et Oise on 7 August 1919, however the Probate Calendar gives 5 August 1919 and 44 rue Cha[u]veau, Neuilly sur Seine, Seine as his place of death. His bronzes and artifacts are now part of the African collection of the Smithsonian's Department of Anthropology [see http://www.nmnh.si.edu/naa/guide/_w1.htm accessed 8 January 2010].

Wealth at death: £5 0s. 0d.
Probate date: 6 January 1920

Citing this record

'Herbert William Ward', 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=msib2_1220040989, accessed 02 Jun 2023]