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Biography of William Behnes 1795-1864

Corby Castle, Cumberland Holy Trinity Church, Wetheral All Saints Church, Norton Middlesex Hospital, Fitzrovia

William Behnes 1795-1864 is in Sculptors.

On 9th September 1789 Maria Archer (age 21) died in childbirth at Corby Castle, Cumberland [Map]. Monument in Holy Trinity Church, Wetheral [Map] sculpted by Joseph Nollekens (age 52) costing £1500. He regarded it as his finest work; entitled Faith. When Nollekens realized that his work was destined for so remote a part of the Kingdom it is said that he burst into tears as he felt so few people would see it. This work is represented on the Nollekens Monument in Paddington Parish Church by William Behnes. On seeing the sculpture Wordsworth wrote "XXXIX Monument Of Mrs Howard By Nollekens In Wetheral Church, Near Corby, On The Banks Of The Eden".

Maria Archer: Around 1768 she was born to Andrew Archer 2nd Baron Archer and Sarah West Baroness Archer. On 22nd November 1788 Henry Howard and she were married.

In 1795 William Behnes was born.

After 1825. Monument to Charlotte Botfield -1825 in All Saints Church, Norton [Map]. Sculpted by William Behnes (age 30).

After 1837 William Behnes (age 42) was tutor to Henry Weekes (age 29) and Thomas Woolner (age 11). So great was Woolner's promise that Behnes agreed to receive him without a premium, on condition that, when sufficiently advanced, he should work for him at something less than the usual rate of pay. He continued with Behnes four years, and in December 1842, at his master's recommendation, entered the schools of the Royal Academy, continuing to be employed by Behnes in his spare time.

Before 1841 Henry Weekes (age 33) worked for William Behnes (age 45) and Francis Leggatt Chantrey (age 59).

On 3rd January 1864 William Behnes (age 69) died in Middlesex Hospital, Fitzrovia having been found two days before unconscious in a gutter, with only three pence in his pocket.