Sir John Steell (1804-1891) did an apprenticeship as a wood-carver in Edinburgh before moving to Rome for several years to train as a sculptor. Although encouraged by Chantrey to move to London, Steell remained dedicated to the promotion of the arts in his native Scotland, and lived the rest of his life there. He was knighted by Queen Victoria after the inauguration of his statue of the Prince Consort in 1876.