Pilkington Jackson
{{Short description|British sculptor (1887–1973)}}
{{Use British English|date= January 2023}}
{{Use dmy dates|date= January 2023}}
{{Infobox artist
| honorific_prefix =
| name = Charles d’Orville Pilkington Jackson
| honorific_suffix =
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| native_name =
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| birth_name = Charles d'Orville
| birth_date = 11 October 1887
| birth_place = Grampound, Cornwall, England
| death_date = {{death date and age|df=yes|1973|9|20|1887|10|11}}
| death_place = Edinburgh, Scotland
| resting_place =
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| nationality = British
| education =
| alma_mater = Edinburgh College of Art
| known_for = Sculpture
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Charles d’Orville Pilkington Jackson RSA, FRBS, FRSA (11 October 1887 – 20 September 1973) was a British sculptor prominent in Scotland in the 20th century. Throughout his career he worked closely with the architect Sir Robert Lorimer. He is most noteworthy for his creation of one of Scotland's most iconic landmarks, the statue of Robert the Bruce at Bannockburn.
Early life
Charles d'Orville Pilkington Jackson was born at Garlenick near Grampound, Cornwall the son of Ethel Katie D'Orville Smith.{{cite web |url=http://www.glasgowsculpture.com/pg_biography.php?sub=jackson_c |title=Charles d'Orville Pilkington Jackson (1887-1973) |author=Nisbet, Gary |work=Glasgow - City of Sculpture |access-date=27 February 2014}} She had married his father on the 3rd May 1886, 22 year old medical student Louis Pilkington Jackson in an irregular marriage at 138 George Street, Glasgow.{{cite web |title= Marriage record of Louis Pinkington Jackson and Ethel Katie D'Orville Smith |url= https://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk/view-image/nrs_stat_marriages/5185441?return_row=4 |publisher= scotlandspeople.gov.uk |access-date= 10 March 2022 |url-access= registration}}
Charles attended the Edinburgh Institution from 1905 and the newly established Edinburgh College of Art in 1907, studying design and sculpture.{{cite web |url=http://sculpture.gla.ac.uk/view/person.php?id=msib6_1211212410 |title=Charles D'Orville Pilkington Jackson ARSA, FRBS, ARBA |work=Mapping the Practice and Profession of Sculpture in Britain and Ireland 1851-1951 |publisher=University of Glasgow |year=2011 |access-date= 27 February 2014}} He graduated in 1910 and received a travelling scholarship of £100, which he used to visit the British School in Rome. Whilst in Rome he worked with Giacomo Boni on the rebuilding of the Arch of Titus.
Career
File:Robert the Bruce statue, Bannockburn - geograph.org.uk - 1538090.jpg near the Bannockburn Visitor Centre]]
In 1911, on his return to Scotland, Jackson established himself in a studio with William MacDonald, a bronze founder. During World War I he served with the British Army as a subaltern in the Royal Field Artillery and the Intelligence Corps in Egypt and Palestine, being Mentioned in Dispatches.
After the war he received numerous commissions to design war memorials and these extend across the whole width and breadth of Scotland. He was appointed as "supervising sculptor" for the Scottish National War Memorial, which was planned and built within Edinburgh Castle between 1919 and 1927. He was also commissioned to create numerous memorials to famous Scots, including tableaux at the David Livingstone Centre, and a memorial to Elsie Inglis, on which he collaborated with Sir Frank Mears. In 1929 he went on holiday to Sweden with Robert LorimerDictionary of Scottish Architects: Robert Lorimer and visited the eminent Swedish sculptor Carl Milles whom he acknowledged as a great influence on his work.
In the Second World War, although being far beyond the age of conscription at 52, he again joined the army, this time serving in Scotland as a Gun Operations Room Officer for anti-aircraft guns. He had an extremely long working career leading to his most famous commission, the statue of Robert the Bruce being executed in 1964 at the age of 76. The mounted statue of Robert the Bruce forms the focal point of the memorial to the 1314 Battle of Bannockburn, and is sited to face southwards, from which direction the English army approached. The statue and monument are listed at category A, and are included as one of the 60 DoCoMoMo Key Scottish Monuments of the post-war period.{{Historic Environment Scotland|num=LB49860|desc=Bannockburn, rotunda, memorial cairn, flagpole and statue of King Robert I|cat=A|access-date=28 March 2019}}{{cite book |editor=Glendinning, Miles |title=Rebuilding Scotland: The Postwar Vision, 1945-1975 |year=1997 |publisher=Tuckwell Press |isbn=1-898410-33-X |page=153}} A copy of this sculpture stands at the Alberta College of Art and Design in Canada, and an alternative version of the monument, showing Bruce on a rearing horse, was later installed at the Chivas Brothers Distillery in Paisley.
Pilkington Jackson exhibited regularly at the Royal Scottish Academy, and was elected as an academician in 1956. He also served on the Royal Fine Art Commission for Scotland, and taught at Edinburgh College of Art in the late 1920s.
Death
Pilkington died in Edinburgh on the 20 September 1973. His body was cremated and his ashes were buried at Lasswade Cemetery, at the North end of the modern section. He designed both his own gravestone (following the death of his wife, Eve Cornish Dening, 1885–1951), and that of his parents, which stands alongside. His son, Richard D'Orville Pilkington Jackson (1921–2009), was interred in the same grave.
Selected public works
{{Public art header|show_architect=no|show_material=yes|show_dimensions=yes|show_artist=no|show_owner=no|show_wikidata=yes}}
{{Public art row
| image =
| commonscat =
| subject = War memorial
| location = Balquhidder, Stirling
| date = 1920
| type = Cross
| material = Stone
| dimensions =
| designation = Category B
| show_wikidata=
| wikidata =
| notes = Architect, George Washington Browne{{cite web|url=https://www.iwm.org.uk/memorials/item/memorial/57575 |title=War Memorials Register: Balquhidder - WW1 Cross|access-date= 8 July 2021|website= Imperial War Museum}}{{Historic Environment Scotland|num=LB4157|desc= Balquhidder Parish Church and Churchyard|cat=B|access-date=1 January 2023}}
}}
{{Public art row
| image =
| commonscat =
| subject = Memorial to the 5th Battalion Royal Scots
| location = St. Giles Cathedral, Edinburgh
| date = 1921
| type = Plaque
| material = Brass & green marble
| dimensions =
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}}
{{Public art row
| image = Kelso War Memorial view from W.jpg
| commonscat = Kelso War Memorial
| subject = War memorial
| location = Kelso, Scottish Borders
| date = 1921
| type = Cross on platform with statue in niche
| material = Stone & bronze
| dimensions =
| designation = Category B
| show_wikidata=
| wikidata = Q17844315
| notes = Architect, Sir Robert Lorimer{{cite web|url=https://www.iwm.org.uk/memorials/item/memorial/5659 |title=War Memorials Register: Kelso|access-date= 8 July 2021|website= Imperial War Museum}}{{Historic Environment Scotland|num=LB35736|desc= Bridge Street, War Memorial|cat=B|access-date=8 July 2021}}
}}
{{Public art row
| image = Edinburgh Castle (28847473998).jpg
| commonscat = Scottish National War Memorial
| subject = Scottish National War Memorial
| location = Edinburgh Castle
| date = 1919-1927
| type = Numerous elements including a relief of Earl Haig
| material = Stone
| dimensions =
| designation = Category A
| show_wikidata=
| wikidata = Q7437874
| notes = In conjunction with Sir Robert Lorimer and others{{cite book|author=Patricia R. Andrew|publisher=Birlinn Ltd|year=2014|title= Chism In Time Scottish War Art and Artists in the Twentieth Century|isbn=978-1-78027-190-3}}{{cite web|url=https://www.iwm.org.uk/memorials/item/memorial/2002 |title=War Memorials Register: Scottish National War Memorial|access-date= 8 July 2021|website= Imperial War Museum}}{{Historic Environment Scotland|num=LB48229|desc= Edinburgh Castle, Scottish National War Memorial|cat=A|access-date=8 July 2021}}
}}
{{Public art row
| image = Elsie Inglis memorial.jpg
| commonscat =
| subject = Memorial to Elsie Inglis
| location = St Giles' Cathedral, Edinburgh
| date = 1922
| type = Plaque
| material = Marble
| dimensions =
| designation =
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| notes = With Sir Frank Mears
}}
{{Public art row
| image = Rothesay War Memorial (geograph 3570751).jpg
| commonscat = Rothesay War Memorial
| subject = War memorial
| location = Rothesay, Bute
| date = 1922
| type = Statue on pedestal
| material = Bronze & stone
| dimensions =
| designation = Category C
| show_wikidata=
| wikidata = Q114169321
| notes = {{cite web|url=https://www.iwm.org.uk/memorials/item/memorial/58282 |title=War Memorials Register: Men from the Royal Burgh of Rothesay (the Angel)|access-date= 8 July 2021|website= Imperial War Museum}}{{Historic Environment Scotland|num=LB51842|desc= Victoria Street, Esplanade Gardens, War Memorial|cat=C|access-date=8 July 2021}}
}}
{{Public art row
| image = Edinburgh College Of Art War Memorial - geograph.org.uk - 2057106.jpg
| commonscat =
| subject = War memorial
| location = Edinburgh College of Art, Lauriston Place, Edinburgh
| date = 1922
| type = Reliquary on pedestal
| material = Bronze & stone
| dimensions =
| designation =
| show_wikidata =
| wikidata =
| notes = {{cite web|url=https://collections.ed.ac.uk/art/record/99985|title=Edinburgh College of Art War Memorial (1923)|website=The University of Edinburgh Art Collection|access-date=26 December 2022}}{{cite web|url=https://www.iwm.org.uk/memorials/item/memorial/87498 |title=War Memorials Register: Edinburgh College of Art - Reliquary|access-date= 26 December 2021|website= Imperial War Museum}}
}}
{{Public art row
| image = Old College University of Edinburgh 04.JPG
| commonscat =
| subject = Edinburgh University war memorial
| location = Old College, University of Edinburgh
| date = 1923, extended 1952
| type = Panels & surround
| material = Bronze & stone
| dimensions =
| designation =
| show_wikidata=
| wikidata =
| notes = {{cite web|url=https://www.ed.ac.uk/local/projects/on-the-trail-of-public-art|title=On the trial of Public Art|date=30 January 2020|website=The University of Edinburgh|access-date=9 July 2021}}{{cite web|url=https://collections.ed.ac.uk/art/record/99982|title=Old College War Memorial (1923)|website=The University of Edinburgh Art Collection|access-date=26 December 2022}}{{cite web|url=https://www.iwm.org.uk/memorials/item/memorial/61983 |title=War Memorials Register: University of Edinburgh College Alumni|access-date= 3 January 2023|website= Imperial War Museum}}
}}
{{Public art row
| image = AlloaWarMemorial.JPG
| commonscat = Alloa War Memoriaal
| subject = War memorial
| location = Alloa
| date = 1924
| type = Statue group on pedestal
| material = Stone
| dimensions =
| designation = Category B
| show_wikidata=
| wikidata = Q1777650
| notes = In conjunction with Sir Robert Lorimer{{Historic Environment Scotland|num=LB20989|desc= War Memorial, Gusset of Bank Street and Church Street Clackmannshire|cat=B|access-date=8 July 2021}}{{cite web|url=https://www.iwm.org.uk/memorials/item/memorial/2084 |title=War Memorials Register: Alloa|access-date= 26 December 2021|website= Imperial War Museum}}
}}
{{Public art row
| image = Greenbank Garden - geograph.org.uk - 11107.jpg
| commonscat =
| subject = Foam
| location = Greenbank Garden, Clarkston
| date = 1938
| type = Statue in fountain
| material = Stone
| dimensions =
| designation =
| show_wikidata =
| wikidata =
| notes = Commissioned for the Empire Exhibition in Glasgow
}}
{{Public art row
| image = The unusual monument to a plane crash, St. Serfs Church, Ferry Rd Edinburgh.JPG
| commonscat =
| subject = Memorial to John Charles Fraser Gibson
| location = St. Serfs Church, Ferry Road, Edinburgh
| date = 1946
| type =
| material = Stone
| dimensions =
| designation =
| show_wikidata=
| wikidata =
| notes = Gibson was killed in a plane crash in Mombasa, 1945{{cite web|url=https://www.iwm.org.uk/memorials/item/memorial/87592 |title=War Memorials Register: Flight Lieutenant JCF Gibson |access-date= 8 July 2021|website= Imperial War Museum}}
}}
{{Public art row
| image = 1939-1945 War Memorial - geograph.org.uk - 412202.jpg
| commonscat =
| subject = War memorial
| location = Tillicoultry, Clackmannanshire
| date = 1949
| type = Statue on pedestal with surround
| material = Stone
| dimensions =
| designation =
| show_wikidata=
| wikidata = Q114169070
}}
{{Public art row
| image = Royal Scots Fusiliers WW2, Ayr.jpg
| commonscat = Royal Scots Fusiliers World War II memorial
| subject = Royal Scots Fusiliers World War II memorial
| location = Ayr
| date = 1960
| type = Statue on pedestal
| material = Bronze
| dimensions =
| designation =
| show_wikidata=
| wikidata = Q114168035
}}
{{Public art row
| image = Royal Scots Memorial carvings - geograph.org.uk - 1944250.jpg
| commonscat = Royal Scots Memorial, Princes Street Gardens
| subject = Royal Scots memorial
| location = Princes Street Gardens, Edinburgh
| date = 1950
| type = Several standing stones linked by a metal grille
| material = Stone & metal
| dimensions =
| designation = Category B
| show_wikidata=
| wikidata = Q17795453
| notes = With Sir Frank Mears and others{{cite web|url=https://www.iwm.org.uk/memorials/item/memorial/53589 |title=War Memorials Register: Royal Scots Monument |access-date= 8 July 2021|website= Imperial War Museum}}{{Historic Environment Scotland|num=LB48253|desc= West Princes Street Gardens, Royal Scots Memorial|cat=B|access-date=8 July 2021}}
}}
{{Public art row
| image = Robert The Bruce - geograph.org.uk - 1193766.jpg
| commonscat = Equestrian statue of Robert the Bruce, Bannockburn
| subject = Statue of Robert the Bruce
| location = Bannockburn
| date = 1964
| type = Equestrian statue on pedestal
| material = Bronze & stone
| dimensions =
| designation = Category A
| show_wikidata=
| wikidata = Q17568248
| notes = {{cite web|url=https://www.iwm.org.uk/memorials/item/memorial/83005 |title=War Memorials Register: Battle of Bannockburn |access-date= 8 July 2021|website= Imperial War Museum}}
}}
{{End}}
=Other works=
File:James Clerk Maxwell Bust.jpg
- Stone font, Holy Trinity Church, Ayr{{Historic Environment Scotland|num=LB21586|desc=Fullerton Street, Holy Trinity Church (Scottish Episcopal) including church hall, gatepiers, gates,railings and boundary wall|cat=A|access-date=5 January 2023}}
- Replacement head (in bronze) on the tomb of the 9th Lord Belhaven and Stenton (originally by William Birnie Rhind, 1896), Dean Cemetery (1924)Buildings of Scotland: Edinburgh by Gifford McWilliam and Walker
- War memorial plaques, both in bronze and slate, for the British Linen Bank (1922) and for the Royal Bank of Scotland (1923) in Dundas House, St Andrew's Square, Edinburgh{{cite web|url=https://www.iwm.org.uk/memorials/item/memorial/78574 |title=War Memorials Register: British Linen Bank WW1|access-date= 8 July 2021|website= Imperial War Museum}}{{cite web|url=https://www.iwm.org.uk/memorials/item/memorial/78574 |title=War Memorials Register: The Royal Bank of Scotland|access-date= 5 January 2023|website= Imperial War Museum}}
- Black & green marble war memorial plaque for Bank of Scotland staff at the Royal Bank of Scotland, Glasgow Road, Edinburgh (1921){{cite web|url=https://www.iwm.org.uk/memorials/item/memorial/5620 |title=War Memorials Register: National Bank of Scotland - WW1|access-date= 8 July 2021|website= Imperial War Museum}}
- Screen with plaques in the Durham Light Infantry chapel of Durham Cathedral (1923){{cite web|url=https://www.iwm.org.uk/memorials/item/memorial/10230 |title=War Memorials Register: Durham Light Infantry - Chapel|access-date= 5 January 2023|website= Imperial War Museum}}
- Painted choir screen, St Serfs Church, Ferry Road, Edinburgh (1926){{Historic Environment Scotland|num=LB27522|desc=Ferry Road, St Serf's Church (Church of Scotland), with boundary wall, gates and gatepiers|cat=B|access-date=3 January 2023}}
- Stone decorations for the chapel at Stowe School (1927){{cite web|url=http://www.bucksas.org.uk/rob/rob_59_0_195.pdf|title=Heaven on Earth: Sir Robert Lorimer and Stowe School Chapel 1926-29|author=David J Critchley}}
- Sculpture of pelican, porch wall, St Andrew's Garrison Church, Aldershot (1927)National Library of Scotland Inventory Acc. 7445
- A series of bronze tableaux depicting the life of David Livingstone for the David Livingstone Centre at Blantyre (1929){{Cite news|url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/scotland/article/david-livingstone-carvings-restored-in-scottish-museum-revamp-ch8pt7zh6|title=David Livingstone carvings restored in Scottish museum revamp|last=West|first=Jean|date=2019-10-13|work=The Sunday Times|access-date=2019-10-16|language=en|issn=0956-1382}}
- Sculptural relief, exterior of the Crew Building, University of Edinburgh (1926–1932){{cite web|url=https://collections.ed.ac.uk/art/record/99992|title=Sculptural Relief Crew Building (1926-1932)|website=University of Edinburgh Art Collection|access-date=4 January 2023}}
- Series of 82 military statuettes for the United Services Museum in Edinburgh Castle (1929–33)
- Lectern, pulpet and Elders' seats for Ardgour parish church in the Scottish Highlands (1930){{Historic Environment Scotland|num=LB1688|desc=Ardgour Parish Church (Church of Scotland) and burial ground|cat=B|access-date=5 January 2023}}
- Bust of Gerard Baldwin Brown, Edinburgh University (1931){{cite web|url=http://collections.ed.ac.uk/art/record/20154?highlight=Pilkington+Jackson|title="Gerard Baldwin Brown"|website=University of Edinburgh Art Collection|access-date=4 January 2023}}
- Monument, a life-sized seated statue, to the child author Marjorie Fleming in Kirkcaldy Parish Church (1935){{Historic Environment Scotland|num=LB45481|desc= Abbotshall Road, Abbotshall Parish Church graveyard with mort-house, boundary walls, gatepiers and gates|cat=B|access-date=3 January 2023}}
- Memorial to Evelyn, Lady Rayleigh, died 1934, in Chelmsford Cathedral{{NHLE |num=1328779 |desc=Cathedral Church of Saint Mary the Virgin|access-date=4 January 2023}}
- Carved decorative panel on the exterior of Dundee Street Library, Edinburgh (1938){{Historic Environment Scotland|num=LB30322|desc= 137 Dundee Street, Fountainbridge Public Library|cat=B|access-date=5 January 2023}}
- Bust of James Clerk Maxwell for University of Aberdeen, Marischal College (1956); a later copy is displayed at the James Clerk Maxwell Foundation in Edinburgh
- Bronze bust of Frederick Lugard for Hong Kong University with a copy in the National Portrait Gallery, London (1960){{cite web|url=https://www.npg.org.uk/collections/search/portrait/mw04033/Frederick-Lugard-1st-Baron-Lugard?LinkID=mp07159&role=art&rNo=1|title=Frederick Lugard, 1st Baron Lugard|website=National Portrait Gallery|access-date=3 January 2023}}
- Fibreglass sculpture of Robert the Bruce on a rearing horse (a working model not chosen for use on the Bannockburn site) at the Chivas Brothers Distillery in Paisley (1964)
- La Poliche Libre at the Royal Scottish Academy (1972)
- Sculpture of the Good Shepherd in the church of St James, Goldenacre, Edinburgh.
References
{{Reflist}}
- Papers of the late Charles D'Orville Pilkington Jackson Esq, National Library of Scotland, [http://www.nls.uk/catalogues/online/cnmi/inventories/acc7445.pdf Inventory account 7445]
- {{cite book |author1=McWilliam, Colin |author2=Gifford, John |author3=Walker, David |year=1984 |publisher=Penguin |title=Edinburgh |series=The Buildings of Scotland |isbn=978-0-14-071068-7 |author-link1=Colin McWilliam}}
External links
{{Portal|Scotland|Cornwall}}
- {{Art UK bio}}
- {{Commons category-inline|Charles d'Orville Pilkington Jackson}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Jackson, Pilkington}}
Category:People educated at Stewart's Melville College
Category:Scottish male sculptors
Category:Royal Scottish Academicians
Category:Artists from Cornwall
Category:Alumni of the Edinburgh College of Art