Subject

Sculptor. Our colleague Andrew Behan has kindly researched this man: Charles Edward Whiffen was born in 1867 in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, the son of Edward Whiffen and Jane Whiffen née Adams. His father was a Grocer according to Charles Whiffen's entry in the Cheltenham parish baptismal register dated 8 December 1867 and the family address was given as 29 Henrietta Street, Cheltenham. The 1871 census shows him as a 3 year old Scholar living with his mother at 9 Rodney Terrace, Cheltenham and she was shown as a Lodging House Keeper, but on the night of the census his father was shown as a Master Baker at 29 Henrietta Street. However, by the time of the 1881 census the whole family is shown living at 9 Rodney Terrace and whilst he was still recorded as a Scholar, both his parents were now listed as Lodging House Keepers.

On 20 February 1895 he married Mary Ann Elizabeth Adams at St Anne's Church, South Lambeth Road, Lambeth. His occupation was recorded as a Sculptor and his residence was given as 163 Fentiman Road, South Lambeth. They had two daughters, Edith Lilian Whiffen, born in 1896 and Marion Ellaline Whiffen, born on 21 October 1899. When his first daughter was baptised on on 1st May 1896 the family resided at 64 Marney Road, Battersea, but when his second daughter was baptised on 26 September 1900 the family was living at 89 Altenburg Gardens, Battersea. The night of the 1901 census shows him with his wife, and two daughters at his parents address at Northfleet, Gloucester Road, Cheltenham. His occupation was still a Sculptor, whilst his father was now a Wine Merchant Beer Bottler. On 11 January 1905 he was initiated as a Freemason in the Granite Lodge, No.1328 and his address was shown in their records as 89 Altenburg Gardens. The 1911 census shows him living at 89 Altenburg Gardens with his wife, two daughters and a lodger.

On seven occasions between 1889 and 1916 he exhibited a piece of his work at the annual Summer Exhibition of the Royal Academy of Arts including a bronze portrait medallion of a Miss Beatrice Austin in 1916 when his studio was located at 7 Stanley Studios, Park Walk, London, S.W.10. From 1920 he was a member of the Royal Society of British Sculptors, becoming an associate member from 1923 but was struck off their membership rolls for non-payment of subscriptions in 1927.

He died, aged 61 years, on 5 March 1929 at 89 Altenburg Gardens and administration of his estate was granted to his widow on 20 April 1929. His effects totalled £662-15s-0d. Intriguingly, probate records 28 years later, dated 17 December 1957, show that administration of his estate was again granted, this time to Marion Ellaline Watson, a single woman, and the effects now totalled £750.