Earp the Sculptor

Earp was born in 1828 in Nottingham, son of a lacemaker. He went to the Nottingham School of Art and Design in 1843. Following his education he started working for George Myers and moved to South London. His first important assignment was on the new Catholic church in Sheffield, St Marie. The priest unfortunately dies before the church was finished and Earp was charged with making an effigy, which he did in time for the unveiling and dedication of the Church at a High Mass.

George Myers and his team contributed several examples of works from his workshops to the 1852 Great Exhibition in the Crystal Palace. The Exhibition was attended by the architect George Gilbert Scott and George Frederick Badley. They took note of the master sculptors and carvers among whom Earp was included. Earp set up his own works in Cambridge Place Lambeth shortly afterwards. He executed many commissions for architects of the time, including Pugin, Teulon,and George Gilbert Scott. A partnership developed between himself and Street. His independence grew with the increasing commissions he undertook. By 1861 he employed 21 men and 8 apprentices in his yard, now based in Kennington Road.

In 1862 at the International Exhibition he displayed a great deal of work for many architects including Street, Bentley and Teulon. Teulon exhibited the reredos and other pieces carved for the rebuilding of St John the Baptist, Huntley. Teulon regarded Earp as his 'favourite sculptor' and between them they prepared elaborately carved capitals, spandrels, statuary, altar pieces, font and pulpit. These in their final setting make the interior of St John's a breathtaking display

In 1864 he was elected as an Ordinary member of the Ecclesiological Society on Street's recommendation.

His energetic and productive career spanned over 45 years but was ended abruptly when he fell ill and died of cholera in 1893. He was buried in Nunhead cemetery with his second wife, Ellen, his own life being commemorated with a simple stone cross.

Appeal Home Page | Ways to make a Donation | Our Visitors Book | The Appeal | Home

---