Lady (Agnes) Freda Forres OBE

Other names: née The Hon. Freda Herschell

Born 1880 (Circa)
Died 5 May 1942

Active: 1926 - 1937

Country of birth and death: England

Sculptor, patron, philanthropist

Probably born in London (a tentative date of birth, based on the ages of her siblings, is c.1880). Records of her early life have not been traced, perhaps because she was sent to school abroad. However, Agnes, usually known as Freda, was the daughter of Lord Herschell (1837-99), Solicitor-General from 1880–85 and Lord High Chancellor, 1886 and 1892–95. In 1912 she married Lord Forres (formerly Sir Archibald Williamson MP), a successful businessman and philanthropist. It is not known when Lady Forres began to study or make sculpture, however the papers of Charles Sargeant Jagger indicate she worked as his pupil for one year and in his studio for another two years during the 1920s. Between 1926 and 1938 Lady Forres exhibited five times at the Royal Academy and at an unknown date showed work in Paris.

She was a patron of the arts, commissioning a relief of 'The Mocking Birds' from Charles Sargean Jagger in 1930, which later became a prominent feature of the drawing room of her house at 41 Trafalgar Square designed by the architect Oliver Hill. She also played a leading role in organising the Charles Sargeant Jagger Memorial Exhibition in 1935. During the early years of the Second World War Lady Forres worked on committees welcoming and supporting allied forces. Her death occurred in tragic circumstances; she fell beneath a tube train at Green Park Station on 5 May 1942.

Wealth at death: £27,261 10s. 8d.
Probate date: 15 October 1942

Citing this record

'Lady (Agnes) Freda Forres OBE', 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=msib6_1208191623, accessed 08 Jun 2023]