Thomas Brock: Forgotten Sculptor of the Victoria Memorial

The Victoria Memorial in front of Buckingham Palace is a national icon, yet few have heard of its sculptor, Thomas Brock.

He left school at 12 to be an apprentice at the Worcester Royal Porcelain Works, then joined the London studio of John Henry Foley.

He completed the figure of the Prince Consort for the Albert Memorial after Foley's death.

One of the young sculptors encouraged by Sir Frederic Leighton, he became famous for his lifelike portrait statues of Queen Victoria, Edward VII, Gladstone, Millais and other public figures.

Chosen in 1901 as sole sculptor of the Victoria Memorial, he was knighted by King George V at its unveiling in 1911.

Brock's remarkable story is told by his son Frederick in this entertaining biography, written in the 1920s and now published by permission of the Victoria and Albert Museum.