Deaf History: Joseph Gawen

Sebastian Cunliffe presents the story of a very fine stone sculptor

4m 14s

Documentary (2010) as part of the Deaf History series. In this episode, reporter Sebastian Cunliffe tells us about the life of a Deaf sculptor called Joseph Gawen. Born in Brighton in 1845, Gawen lived at a time when most deaf people were forced to work with their hands. His boss, Hodges Bailey, would design his sculptures and Gawen would sculpt them, often making busts of famous people, including the Royal family. Cunliffe explains how it is rumoured that he may have been responsible for London’s world famous Nelson’s column.