Gawen, Joseph

Either born deaf at Brighton, Suffolk, or deafened at an early age; a brother, Charles Gawen, was also deaf. Attended the Kent Road Asylum (London) for five years. Apprenticed with England's most prominent sculptor, Edward Hodges Bailey. There is some evidence that the famous statue of Horatio Nelson in Trafalgar Square, London, officially credited to Bailey, was actually carved by Joseph Gawen to Bailey's design, though Bailey got all the credit. Gawen then became assistant to another sculptor, John Henry Foley. He did two busts of King Edward VIII, both still on display in London. Died in London after a fall from a hansom cab. In 1996, a major sculpture by Gawen, The Good Shepherd, was discovered in bad shape outside a church, repaired and restored 2 years later, and placed inside the church for protection from the elements.