Details of Sculptor

Surname

Whittle

Alternative Surname

First Name

James

Initial of Surname

W

Year of Birth/Baptism

Flourished

Year of Death

1759

Biographical Details

A successful mason and wood carver of Great St Andrews Street, Soho, he was in business with his son Thomas from 1752-55, when Thomas died. The father and son were responsible for extensive work, particularly pediment sculpture at Woburn Abbey (1, 2). In 1754 the cabinet-maker William Hallett appears to have steered Whittle’s daughter, Ann, towards marriage with Samuel Norman, Hallett’s nephew, who had his own carving and gilding business in King Street, Soho. It is not clear when Whittle and Norman went into partnership but Whittle received payments totalling £1,219 15s from the Earl of Egremont at Petworth between December 1755 and February 1759 and thereafter it was Norman’s name that appeared in the books (3). Whittle and Norman were together responsible for much interior ornament in wood at Woburn (4). In June 1759 the pair considered expanding the masonry side of their business and bought a large piece of marble which was inspected by their sub-contractor, William Long, and was to have been made into chimneypieces and table slabs. The venture proved short-lived for the material was spoilt in a fire in the King Street premises. Whittle died shortly beforehand, on 10 December 1759. He left half his estate to his wife and the residue with his stock in trade, to Norman, who inherited about £6,000. Norman had no children and eventually half his now reduced estate went to Whittle’s grandson.
Literary References: Kirkham 1969, 501-10; Beard and Hayward 1988, 395