This site celebrates the life and work of sculptor John
Cassidy (1860 - 1939).
23 June 2009:
New feature: A mystery female figure. Can you help?
19 June 2009:
New feature: The Cassidys of Slane:
a genealogical survey
01 June 2009:
New feature: Rishton Conservative Club
War Memorial
19 May 2009:
New feature: The John Kay memorial,
Bury
16 May 2009:
Albert Square fountain restoration
completed
New Feature: Ernest Marriott
Updated: James Joule
John Cassidy, by Reginald Barber (1900). Courtesy of Manchester Art Gallery
This site developed from my interest in the John Rylands Library, Manchester, and its statues. I created a small online exhibition there about John Cassidy, which led to contacts with his admirers in Scotland and Ireland, and in turn to the creation of this larger tribute. We are not professional historians; if you find inaccuracies here, please let us know.
'Of all the sculptors mentioned
[in this book], John Cassidy is the most intriguing. A biography would
focus directly on the little-researched world of the provincial
sculptor. Given the range of his output - from statues and busts to war
memorials and architectural sculpture - it would appear that
versatility was one of the attributes needed by sculptors outside
London if they were to survive.' - Derek Brumhead and Terry Wyke. A walk round Manchester sculptures.
Walkround Books, 1990.
As you browse the features, you will find that we sometimes follow trains of thought and journeys inspired by Cassidy's work and the people he portrayed, as well as offering what biographical information we can discover, and illustrating and describing as many of his works as we can locate. We hope you find something of interest.
Special thanks to everyone who has helped with research and shown interest, especially Doug Cassidy, John Canner, John Doyle, Frances Lee Gargan, and Elizabeth Gow.
(Then again, if you are looking for his modern namesake John
Cassidy, magician and balloon sculptor, you want www.johncassidy.com)