Joseph, Samuel

Samuel Joseph (1790/1 - 1850) trained in London under Peter Rouw the Younger and the Royal Academy Schools. He was a member of the Edinburgh Phrenological Society and created life masks in plaster of notorious criminals, including Burke and Hare. Joseph began exhibiting at the Royal Academy in 1811 and from 1821 he was also working in Edinburgh, becoming the first significant sculptor to establish a studio there. From 1821 – 1826 he exhibited at the Institution for the Encouragement of the Fine Arts in Scotland and he helped to found the Royal Scottish Academy in Edinburgh, where he exhibited from 1827 – 1844. Amongst his notable sitters were Sir Walter Scott, Revd Archibald Alison and George IV. He was also responsible for executing the bust of James Hamilton and one of the busts of James Gregory in the College's collection.