Who was John Ternmouth?
John Ternmouth was a sculptor active, especially in England, in the 19th century. He was educated at the Royal Academy Schools in London from 1820. In 1847 he carved the figures of St. George and Britannia flanking a shield for the centre of the east front of Buckingham Palace, London. His perhaps best work, however, is his bronze relief of the Battle of Copenhagen on the base of Nelson's Column, Trafalgar Square. Towards the end of his life he produced very little work which led to the rumour that he had died. This speculation was suppressed when Ternmouth wrote to a publication stating that he was in fact still alive.
Life and Work
He was born in Andover, Hampshire, on 30 January 1796, and moved to London in around 1810.
He entered the Royal Academy Schools in 1820 and later studied under Sir Francis Chantrey.
He died of typhus on 13 December 1848 and was buried in Kensal Green Cemetery.
Sources:
Gunnis, Rupert, Dictionary of British Sculptors: 1660-1851 New Revised Edition (London: The Abbey Library, 1951)