SKELTON, John

John Skelton MBE FRBS (1923 – 1999) was a British letter-cutter, artist and sculptor. Skelton was a nephew of Eric Gill and was first apprenticed to his uncle, shortly before Gill’s death. He continued his training under Joseph Cribb. His public work includes the headstone to Edward James at West Dean, a sculpture of St Augustine above the church of that dedication in Bexhill-on-Sea,and the font at Chichester Cathedral (1983). Norwich Cathedral (Our Lady of Pity Sculpture, 1967–8), Salisbury Cathedral (inscriptions) and Winchester Cathedral (inscriptions and side altar) show other examples. Worthing Museum and Art Gallery acquired The Diver (1970), a carving in walnut wood, in 2008 through the V&A Purchase Fund.