Thomas Woolner (17 December 1825 – 7 October 1892)
Woolner was an English sculptor and poet who was one of the seven key members of the Pre-Raphaelite brotherhood. He was the only sculptor out of the main seven artists. Woolner was taught by sculpting expert William Behnes at a young age, and exhibited art at the Royal Academy as early as 1848. While in the academy he became very friendly with Rossetti, who later invited him to become a member of the Pre-Raphaelite brotherhood. Thomas Woolner later emigrated to Australia for a bit where he gained recognition and obtained commission for sculptures of British imperial heroes such as, Captain Cook and Sir Stamford Raffles.
Statue of Captain Cook, Sydney, Austrailia- By: Thomas Woolner
Captain Cook was a British explorer, navigator and cartographer who ultimately rose to the rank of captain in the Royal Navy. Cook made detailed maps of Newfoundland prior to making three voyages to the Pacific Ocean, during which he achieved the first European contact with the eastern coastline of Australia and the Hawaiian Islands, as well as the first recorded circumnavigation of New Zealand. Cook paid a great deal of attention to science, nature, and mapping /navigation.
