John Thomas was born in
Chalford, Gloucestershire. Apprenticed to a stonemason after being left an orphan, he later went to Birmingham where his elder brother
William was an architect (and who later moved to Canada to continue his career). He was noticed by
Charles Barry who immediately employed John Thomas as a stone and wood carver on Birmingham Grammar School (now demolished), his first collaboration with
Augustus Welby Northmore Pugin. Barry later appointed him the Superintendent of Stone Carving at the
Palace of Westminster in London, in which role he was responsible for supplying sixty statues of English kings and queens, including those in the niches of the Central Lobby of the Palace.[1]
Works
Thomas's work 'Charity' was shown at the
Great Exhibition of 1851, and then adapted to form a memorial in Christ Church,
Chalford, to his brother Richard who died in 1852. His final work was the colossal statue of
William Shakespeare displayed at the
1862 International Exhibition. A dispute over its placement hastened his death in April 1862, and he was buried in
Kensal Green Cemetery, London. His massive (30 ft. high and 40 ft (12 m). in diameter)
majolica fountain, also on display at the 1862 exhibition, was placed outside the
V&A Museum of Childhood until it was demolished in 1926.
Other works
Twelve large dragons ornamenting ceilings of two grand saloons at
Brighton Pavilion, made for the grand re-opening, 1851.[2]
Carving and statues on
Halifax Town Hall, created c. 1860 – 1862 in collaboration with
Edward Middleton Barry to design of
Charles Barry. Thomas carved three statues for the tower, but died before completing the fourth, which was overseen by another artist to his design.
^Malcolm Hay & Jacqueline Riding (1996). Art in Parliament - The Permanent Collection of the House of Commons. Jarrod Publishing & The Palace of Westminster.
ISBN0-7117-0898-3.