RUSH, WILLIAM

born July 4, 1756, Philadelphia died Jan. 17, 1833, Philadelphia American sculptor and wood-carver, considered the first native sculptor of significance. Rush was trained as a maker of ornamental ship carvings and figureheads. During the Revolution he served in the American army, and shortly after the close of the war he set up a shop in Philadelphia. He was one of the founders of the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts (1805) and served for many years as a member of the Philadelphia city council. A number of his wood carvings are preserved in various Philadelphia institutions, among the most interesting of which are his vigorous self-portrait (Philadelphia Academy of Fine Arts), the Water Nymph and Bittern (Fairmount Park), the allegorical figures Comedy and Tragedy (Edwin Forrest Home), and a statue of George Washington (Independence Hall). Few, if any, of his ship carvings and figureheads survive.