William Henry Sounes
Born 19 May 1830
Died 1873
Active: 1857 - 1872
Country of birth and death: Great Britain
Teacher of modelling, sculptor, headmaster of art school
Born in London. He was the son of William Sounes (born c.1801 in Surrey, died in 1863) an engraver, medallist and die sinker. His brothers, James Sounes (1834-96) and Alfred Sounes (c.1838-83) were also die sinkers and medallists. William Henry seems to have been apprenticed to his father (as were his brothers) and then went on to teach modelling. He trained at the Central School of Art (later National Art Training School) between 1855 and 1857. [See John C. L. Sparkes, 'Schools of art: their origin, history, work and influence', International health exhibition, London, 1884, Appendix F, p. 145.]
Locations
Address 46 Rupert Street Haymarket London | View on map
1846
Address 4 White Street Coventry | View on map
1861 (Circa)
Address Gough Road Birmingham | View on map
1863 (Presumed) - 1864
Exhibitions, Meetings, Awards and other Events
Exhibited at The Exhibition of the Royal Academy of Arts (Summer Exhibition), 1768-
1846 - 1847
It is probable he exhibited twice, two objects (in 1846 'An impression from a medal die', cat. no. 1377 and in 1847 'Impression from a medal die', cat. no. 1289). This is based on the above entries being listed as 'William Henry Sounes' and 'W. Sounes, Junr.' by Graves.
Institutional and Business Connections
Principal of Sheffield School of Art
September 1863 - 1872 (Circa)
Based on information in 'Sources for the Study of Sheffield’s School of Art 1843 - 1969', Sheffield City Council, 2015.
Teacher of modeling at Birmingham Society of Arts and School of Design
1857 - September 1863
Master of Modelling. After this appointment Sounes went on to be Head Master of the Sheffield School of Art.
Descriptions of Practice
Listed under Sculptors Corporation Classified Directory of Professions, Manufactures, and Trades for Birmingham and Envions Coporation Directory for Birmingham
1864
Occupation given in Census Returns of England and Wales, 1861
'Sculptor'
Sources
Birmingham Society of Arts and Government School of Art. Report of the Committee of the Government School of Art for the year ending 31 December 1861
February 1862
p. 1.
Census Returns of England and Wales, 1841
2004
Class: HO107; Piece: 673; Book: 17; Civil Parish: St Giles in The Fields; County: Middlesex; Enumeration District: 7a; Folio: 34; Page: 60; Line: 15; GSU roll: 438789
Census Returns of England and Wales, 1861
2004
RG09
Piece number 2207
Folio number 45
Page number 20
England & Wales, FreeBMD Death Index, 1837-1915
2006
Name: William Henry Sonnes
Estimated birth year: abt 1830
Registration Year: 1873
Registration Quarter: Jul-Aug-Sep
Age at Death: 43
Registration district: Sheffield
Parishes for this Registration District: View Ecclesiastical Parishes associated with this Registration District
Inferred County: Yorkshire West Riding
Volume: 9c
Page: 242
England & Wales, Non-Conformist and Non-Parochial Registers, 1567-1970
2013
Name: William Henry Sounes
Birth Date: 19 May 1830
Birth Place: St Giles In The Fields, London, England
Event Type: Baptism
Father: William Sounes
Mother: Mary Ann Smith
Baptism Date: 31 Oct 1830
Baptism Place: Camberwell Grove, Surrey, England
Denomination: Independent
Piece Title: Piece 4382: Camberwell Grove, Grove Chapel (Independent), 1819-1837
The Royal Academy of Arts: a complete dictionary of contributors and their work from its foundation in 1769 to 1904. Vol. 7: Sacco to Tofano
1906
p. 211 the entry in Graves combines the work of the father William Sounes and the son William Henry Sounes.
Citing this record
'William Henry Sounes', 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=msib4_1208959387, accessed 22 Mar 2023]
