Thomas Banks 1735-1805

On 29th December 1735 Thomas Banks was born.

Around 1755 Thomas Banks [aged 19], in his spare time, spent his evenings at the studio of sculptor Peter Scheemakers [aged 64].

In 1784 Thomas Banks [aged 48] was elected Associate of the Royal Academy.

In 1785 Thomas Banks [aged 49] was elected Fellow of the Royal Academy.

In 1789 Thomas Banks [aged 53] completed his work Shakespeare Attended by Painting and Poetry for which he was paid 500 guineas. It was originally installed to a recess in the upper façade of John Boydell's new Shakespeare Gallery in Pall Mall. In 1871 it was relocated the garden of New Place, Stratford-upon-Avon.

On 16th May 1790 Philip Yorke 2nd Earl of Hardwicke [aged 69] died. His nephew Philip [aged 32] succeeded 3rd Earl Hardwicke, 3rd Viscount Royston. He was buried at St Andrew's Church, Wimpole [Map]. Monument at the De Grey Mausoleum, St John the Baptist Church, Flitton [Map] sculpted by Thomas Banks [aged 54]..

After 16th May 1790. St Andrew's Church, Wimpole [Map]. Monument to Philip Yorke 2nd Earl of Hardwicke [deceased]. White marble stele carved in bold relief with a kneeling female mourner garlanding an urn; signed 'T. BANKS, R.A. SCULPT.' [aged 54].

After 19th March 1791. Monument to Penelope Boothby [deceased] at St Oswald's Church, Ashbourne [Map] sculpted by Thomas Banks [aged 55]. Her epitaph reads "She was in form and intellect most exquisite. The unfortunate Parents ventured their all on this frail Bark. And the wreck was total."

Penelope Boothby: On 11th April 1785 she was born to Brooke Boothby 6th Baronet in Lichfield, Staffordshire [Map]. On 19th March 1791 Penelope Boothby died at Ashbourne Hall, Derbyshire [Map]. She was buried in St Oswald's Church, Ashbourne [Map].

On 2nd February 1805 Thomas Banks [aged 69] died. He was buried at St Mary's Church, Paddington.