This site celebrates the life and work of sculptor John
Cassidy (1860 - 1939).
News:
New feature: Down in Albert Square:
Cassidy in the heart of Manchester.
Fame at the Cemetery: Casidy
commemorated
'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.
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 led to the creation of this larger tribute. We are not professional historians; if you find inaccuracies here, please let us know.
As you browse the features, you will find that we sometimes follow trains of thought and journeys inspired by Cassidy's work, as well as offering what biographical information we can discover and illustrating and describing as many of his works as we can locate. I 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)