J. Massey Rhind


John Massey Rhind was a Scottish-American sculptor. Among Rhind's better known works is the Stephenson Grand Army of the Republic Memorial and the marble statue of Dr. Crawford W. Long, located in the National Statuary Hall Collection, in Washington D.C..

Early years

Born in Edinburgh, Rhind began his art studies under the tutorage of his father John Rhind, a respected and successful sculptor in the royal burgh. He studied at the Royal Scottish Academy, and continued his education with Jules Dalou, who was at that time living and teaching in Lambeth, England. He then moved to Paris to continue his education for two more years. Upon completing his training he considered moving to the United States but was cautioned by his father not to do so because, "There is no sculptural art in America... You'll starve."
In 1885 he established a studio with his elder brother William Birnie Rhind, at 217 West George Street, Glasgow, but his brother moved back to Edinburgh 2 years later. At age 29, J. Massey Rhind finally emigrated to the United States in 1889 and settled in New York City. In 1899, Rhind set up a studio and sculpture yard and began residing in Closter, New Jersey. In 1917 Rhind was elected to the Salmagundi Club New York as an Artist member, remaining so until his death.

Career

In February 1890 John Jacob Astor III died and shortly thereafter a competition to create three sets of bronze doors dedicated to him for Trinity Church, New York was announced. Rhind entered the competition, and, along with Charles Niehaus and Karl Bitter, was awarded one of the sets of doors. After this success he never lacked for work and was to generate a large number of public monuments and architectural projects. Nevertheless, Rhind still found time for smaller, private pieces such as a bust of Theodore Roosevelt.

Gettysburg Battlefield

  • Alexander S. Webb, 1915
  • Abner Doubleday, 1917
  • John Cleveland Robinson, 1917
  • Francis C. Barlow, 1922

    Public monuments

Washington, D.C.

Nova Scotia

New York and New Jersey

Other

New Haven County Court House

Other