Charles Wheeler

The son of a Midlands journalist, Sir Charles Wheeler left school at 15 to study sculpture at the Wolverhampton College of Art and, in later life, was made a Freeman of the Borough of the West Midlands town.

Wheeler obtained a scholarship to the Royal College of Art in 1912 and two years later exhibited at the Royal Academy for the first time. He was president of the Royal Society of British Sculptors from 1944-49, and received the Society’s gold medal for service to sculpture in the final year of his presidency. In 1956 he had the honour of being the first sculptor to become president of the Royal Academy, a post he held for 10 years to make him one of the longest serving presidents of the Academy.

Wheeler held many other important posts including trustee of the Tate Gallery 1942-49, and member of the Royal Fine Art Commission 1946-52. He was knighted in 1958 and amongst the many overseas awards he won was the USA National Academy of Design gold medal in 1963. Wheeler published his autobiography “High Relief” in 1968. His wife Muriel was a talented artist and sculptor, and also exhibited at the Royal Academy.