Details of Sculptor

Surname

Wing

Alternative Surname

First Name

John, of Bedford

Initial of Surname

W

Year of Birth/Baptism

1756

Flourished

Year of Death

1826

Biographical Details

He was the eldest son of John Wing, an architect and mason of Hallaton, Leics, who moved to Bedford about 1790, where he died four years later (GM, LXIV, July 1794, II, 675). Wing was born in July 1756. Early in the 1780s John Wing junior moved to Bedfordshire, where his father had recently acquired a stone-quarry at Totternhoe. He settled at Bedford, took over the quarry, and soon became the leading architect and builder in the county, frequently acting as a surveyor of bridges, and erecting most of the public buildings in Bedford. He was employed as a mason during the rebuilding of Woburn Abbey, 1789-1792, receiving nearly £5,000 for masonry and carved stone work. He also erected the stables and the main entrance-lodge, the latter at a cost of £1,278 3s 6d.
He took an interest in civic affairs, becoming a prominent member of the corporation and holding the office of mayor three times. In 1799 he married Elizabeth Tracy, by whom he had five sons, none of whom followed his career. He died at Bedford on 2 December 1826, aged 70, and was buried in St Mary’s, where there is an inscription to his memory in the south aisle.
His tablets are architectural and occasionally have well-carved details in coloured marbles.
Literary References: Gunnis 1968, 437-8; Colvin 1995, 1069-70
Archival References: Woburn Building Accts 1789-1792, BLARS R3/2114/469-71, R5/1102, R5/1297, R5/1105