Basic Biographical Details

Name: William Steell
Designation:  
Born: 14 September 1836
Died: 2 June 1917
Bio Notes: William Steell was born in Edinburgh on 14 September 1836, the son of Sir John Robert Steell, (1804-1891) possibly the most outstanding nineteenth-century Scottish sculptor, and his wife Elizabeth Graham. His uncle, Gourlay Steell (1819–1894), also achieved distinction as an animal painter of note and was curator of the National Gallery of Scotland.

In the 1871 Census William was still living with his parents at 24 Greenhill Gardens but on 2 June 1875 he married Agnes Burns Paton of Kirkwall Orkney at St George’s Church Edinburgh. They began married life at 18 Clarence Street, Edinburgh, before moving to 11 Clarence Street about 1878 and to Morrison Street before 1891.

He was in practice at 9 Randolph Place from about 1874 until about 1902 and from about 1905 at 216 Morrison Street which was also his residence. Little is yet known of his professional career save for the design of the plinths for two of his father’s statues and more bizarrely, the plans etc, dated 30 July 1874, of 6 Paul Street, Simon Square, used in the trial of James Crichton on a charge of murder. (Held in the National Archives of Scotland : RHP140753)

By then retired, William Steell died on 2 June 1917, at the age of 80. He was survived by his son John and his daughters Agnes and Elizabeth and his wife, Agnes Burns Paton, who died on 19 November 1937 at 155 Dalkeith Road, Edinburgh, aged 90.

Private and Business Addresses

The following private or business addresses are associated with this :
 AddressTypeDate fromDate toNotes
Item 1 of 59, Randolph Place, Edinburgh, ScotlandBusinessc. 1874c. 1902This was John Steell's address in 1863.
Item 2 of 511, Clarence Street, Edinburgh, ScotlandPrivate1875c. 1878 
Item 3 of 518, Clarence Street, Edinburgh, ScotlandPrivatec. 1878Before 1891 
Item 4 of 5216, Morrison Street, Edinburgh, ScotlandPrivateBefore 18911917 
Item 5 of 5216, Morrison Street, Edinburgh, ScotlandPrivate/businessc. 1905c. 1917 

Buildings and Designs

This was involved with the following buildings or structures from the date specified (click on an item to view details):
 Date startedBuilding nameTown, district or villageIslandCity or countyCountryNotes
Item 1 of 21878Statue of Dr Chalmers  EdinburghScotlandDesign of pedestal base
Item 2 of 21883Alexander and Bucephalus sculpture with pedestal base  EdinburghScotlandDesigned the pedestal base

References

Bibliographic References

The following books contain references to this :
 Author(s)DateTitlePartPublisherNotes
Item 1 of 1Post Office Directories     

Archive References

The following archives hold material relating to this :
 SourceArchive NameSource Catalogue No.Notes
Item 1 of 3Census records onlineCensuses  
Item 2 of 3Courtesy of Joe RockInformation via Contact Us on DSA website Additional information sent February 2010
Item 3 of 3H M Register HouseDeath Register