User:Hiltsdelaney

==Thomas Wilkinson Wallis== Humble beginnings in Hull gave no clue to the remarkable career, as a woodcarver, which would eventually mark him out as a latter-day Grinling Gibbons.

===Early Life=== T W Wallis was born on 4th February 1821 in Macheell Street, Hull, the 8th child of Samuel and Ann. When the family was made almost bankrupt, through an unsuccessful ship-owning venture, nine year old Thomas joined the world of work. Aged 13, after a series of menial, often unpleasant, jobs, his father secured him an apprenticeship with Thomas Ward, Carver and Gilder.

The first three years of this seven year apprenticeship were unpaid and, during this period, accutely aware of his lack of education, Thomas began life-long membership of the Mechanis' Institute.

By his sixteenth birthday, he had demonstrated sufficient skill and maturity to be allowed to assist Mr Ward in carrying out work at Burton Constable Hall. Soon after completion of his seven years, and having accepted Ward's offer of the position of Journeyman at 24 shillings (£1.20) per week, Thomas was engaged to carve a 'Dragon Chair' to a design by Lady Constable.'A History of Louth' J E Swaby 1951

===The Move to Lincolnshire=== In 1842, on hearing that Carver and Gilder John Brown required an assistant for his business in Louth, Thomas moved south of the Humber. It is probably a sign of the scarcity of work at that time, that he took a reduction in wages to secure the post. Or, it may indicate just how ambitious he was - Brown was an alcoholic, and Thomas soon realised that the business could not prosper. Maybe his best chance of advancement would be to sit tight for a while and await developments.

Sure enough, Brown was soon completely bed-ridden. This left Thomas in charge of the day-to-day running of the business, giving him the opportunity to display examples of his carving in the shop window. This ploy worked, attracting a number of commissions from the local gentry.

===Carving out a successful career=== In 1844, John Brown died and, a few days after the funeral, his widow agreed to sell the ailing business to Thomas. It wasn't long before trade picked up. The cabinet making side improved and a veture into selling his lithographs of local scenes was very successful. During this time, Thomas married Susan Crow, the daughter of his live-in (unpaid) servants.

The following year, Thomas recieved the first commission for what he termed his 'High Class' carvings. This was "Partridge with foliage" for George Tomline Esq. of Riby Grange who displayed the work in his London house. Many such commissions were to follow. In 1850, he was awarded a silver medal by the Society of Arts and, at London's Great Exhibitions of 1851 and 1862, he recieved more. After success at the Great Paris Exhibition of 1855, dissatisfied by the damage his works often suffered in transit to such events, Thomas withdrew from exhibiting his carvings.

Thomas was also a noted artist with brush and palette, producing several self-portraits. Alas, in 1858 whilst persuing his hobby of astronomy, he damaged his eyes when observing an eclipse. This put an end to the finely detailed carving for which he was, by then, justly renowned. In stead, he taught himself the craft of surveying - becoming Borough Surveyor for Louth.

Examples of his work can be seen in Saint James's church, Louth (pulpit); Louth Town Hall (Mayors' Board); The Usher Gallery, Lincoln (Baby's Head) and Hereford Art Gallery. By far the largest collection of his carvings, paintings & memorabilia on public display is in Louth Museum.