Frank Dobson

Professor Frank Dobson was a leading British sculptor, specialising in the human form. The son of an artist, Dobson was educated at the Harrow Green School and, after showing a leaning towards drawing, was sent to the Leyton Technical School. He spent his spare time in the studio of sculptor William Reynolds-Stephen, watching him at work. After winning a scholarship, which took him to Arbroath in Scotland, Dobson returned to England to complete his training at the City and Guilds School in Kensington, London.

After college, Dobson began as a painter and draughtsman, and exhibited for the first time in 1914. He saw service during World War I as a lieutenant with the Border Regiment, and after the hostilities concentrated on developing his sculpturing skills. In the 1920s, Dobson was one of six European sculptors chosen to exhibit in the United States. He also contributed to leading exhibitions all over the world including London, Paris, Venice, Stockholm and Tokyo.

Dobson was elected an associate of the Royal Society of British Sculptors in 1938 and in 1953 was admitted into the Royal Academy. He was honoured with the CBE in 1947. During World War II, Dobson was an official war artist and, between 1946-53, was professor of sculpture at the Royal College of Art.