William Newman

William Newman (born c. 1649, flourished 1670–1694) was an English woodcarver (ornamental sculptor) of the Restoration period. He collaborated in the furnishing of the churches of the City of London rebuilt by Sir Christopher Wren after the Great Fire of London. A number of his works survive including some of his preparatory drawings. It has been emphasised that, despite the persistent idea that Grinling Gibbons was responsible for much of the carving in the rebuilt City churches, in the building accounts and parish minute-books Gibbons's name appears only once, in connection with the exceptional altarpiece at St Mary Abchurch, a church which also contains carvings by William Newman and William Emmett. The Weavers' Company Hall Accounts for the furnishing of the Weavers' Company Hall (which was rebuilt after the Fire by 1669) show that in 1671 and 1672 Newman was paid for carvings in the Parlour, and for various images on the Hall Stairs. These included heads of leopards and wyverns, probably derived from the Company's heraldry. St Stephen, Coleman Street In 1676–77 Newman was employed for making the altar-table and rails, and the altar-piece, for Wren's rebuilding of St Stephen Coleman Street. The church was destroyed by bombing in 1940. The following description exists: "Communion Table and Rails. Table: with moulded top carved with acanthus-ornament, moulded stretchers carved with flowers and raised in a segmental curve in the middle of the long sides; the table is supported at the angles by large carved eagles and in the middle of the front and back is a seated cherub. Rails: with carved and panelled standards, turned, twisted and carved balusters, carved upper and lower rails." St Stephen Walbrook