Subject

Sculptor. Born Norfolk but in 1823 her family moved to London, 56 Albany Street. Her father, John Francis, was a sculptor and she worked with him as assistant and pupil in Albany Street. In 1840 she married another of her father's students, Thomas Thornycroft.

A successful sculptor, the royal family used her for many commissions and her income supported the family since Thomas was not in such demand. And the Queen engaged her to teach Princess Louise. However as the daughter, wife and mother of other, mostly male, sculptors and artists her career is rather lost in theirs. See her husband, Thomas, for more information.

For more information on this sculptor we suggest the book ‘Working Against the Grain: Women Sculptors in Britain c.1885-1950’ by Pauline Rose.