Alfred Benjamin Wyon
Born 28 September 1837
Died 4 June 1884
Active: 1858 - 1882
Country of birth and death: England
Medallist, die-sinker, seal engraver, painter
He trained with his brother, Joseph Shepherd, under their father and at the Royal Academy Schools. The two brothers took over the family firm, reconstituting it as J. S. and A. B. Wyon.
Exhibitions, Meetings, Awards and other Events
Exhibited at The Exhibition of the Royal Academy of Arts (Summer Exhibition), 1768-
1858 - 1882
Exhibited 19 times, an average of three works per year, primarily medals although listed as painter and medallist.
Personal and Professional Connections
Brother/sibling of Allan Wyon
See Forrer, vol. 6, (1916), p. 579.
Brother/sibling of Joseph Shepherd Wyon
See Forrer, vol. 6, (1916), p. 588.
Daughter/son/child of Benjamin Wyon
See Forrer, vol. 6, (1916), pp. 583.
Partnership with Joseph Shepherd Wyon
1873
Listed as partners 'in the Die-sinking business, inherited from their father Benjamin [1802-1858], and founded in London by Thomas Wyon senior [1767-1830]. Shortly before the death of Joseph Shepherd [1836-1873], a third brother, Allan [1843-1907], entered the works to assist Alfred Benjamin'. See Forrer, vol. 6, (1916), pp. 574-579. In vol. 8 (1930), pp. 297-299, Forrer lists numerous medallic works by the brothers that were exhibited at the Royal Academy, London, between 1863 and 1872; the medals are described as 'joint' works by Forrer.
Studied under Benjamin Wyon
See Forrer, vol. 6, (1916), pp. 574-579, no dates are given.
Worked with Allan Wyon
1873 (Circa)
Shortly before the death of his brother Joseph Shepherd Wyon [1836-1873], Allan Wyon entered 'the Die-sinking business, inherited from their father Benjamin [1802-1858], and founded in London by Thomas Wyon senior [1767-1830]' to 'assist' his second brother Alfred Benjamin Wyon. See Forrer, vol. 6, (1916), pp. 574-579.
Descriptions of Practice
Listed as medallist Biographical Dictionary of Medallists, Coin, Gem, and Seal-Engravers, Mint Masters, &c., Ancient and Modern with References to their Works, B.C. 500 - A.D. 1900, Volume VI, 1916 Biographical Dictionary of Medallists
Forrer notes that Wyon was a student of the Royal Academy School of Painting and learned die-sinking under his father (Benjamin Wyon (1802-1858)). Forrer continues that 'from 31 July 1865 he was associated with his brother, Joseph S. Wyon, as Chief-Engraver of Seals, becoming sole engraver Engraver on 23rd October 1873, an office which he retained until his death. He was succeeded by his younger brother, Allan Wyon, who was appointed on 20th June 1884.' Wyon compiled 'Great Seals of England', which was completed and published in 1887 by Allan Wyon. He prepared a seal of Queen Victoria in 1878. Wyon was 'partner of Joseph Shepherd in the Die-sinking business, inherited from their father Benjamin [1802-1858], and founded in London by Thomas Wyon senior [1767-1830]. Shortly before the death of Joseph Shepherd [1836-1873], a third brother, Allan [1843-1907], entered the works to assist Alfred Benjamin'. Forrer lists numerous medals dating between 1863 and 1884. Forrer gives a number of sources, see vol. 6, (1916), pp. 574-579.
Listed as medallist Biographical Dictionary of Medallists, Coin, Gem, and Seal-Engravers, Mint Masters, &c., Ancient and Modern with References to their Works, B.C. 500 - A.D. 1900, Volume VIII, 1930 Biographical Dictionary of Medallists
Forrer notes that the artist is described as a painter and medallist 'in the Royal Academy Catalogue' (undated), in which numerous medallic works are listed dating from between 1858 and 1882. See vol. 8, (1930), pp. 291-292.
Listed as medallist Biographical Dictionary of Medallists, Coin, Gem, and Seal-Engravers, Mint Masters, &c., Ancient and Modern with References to their Works, B.C. 500 - A.D. 1900, Volume VIII, 1930 Biographical Dictionary of Medallists
pp. 297-299.
Sources
Biographical Dictionary of Medallists, Coin, Gem, and Seal-Engravers, Mint Masters, &c., Ancient and Modern with References to their Works, B.C. 500 - A.D. 1900, Volume VIII, 1930 Biographical Dictionary of Medallists
1930
pp. 291-292 and pp. 297-299.
Citing this record
'Alfred Benjamin Wyon', 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_1240222576, accessed 10 Jun 2023]
