Charles D'Orville Pilkington Jackson ARSA 1887-1973

Charles d’Orville Pilkington Jackson was born in Garlenick, Cornwall. He grew up in Musselburgh. His mother encouraged him to befriend others less fortunate than himself. There was nothing of the “loner” or of the Bohemian about “‘P. J.”. In aid of charities when a boy, he and his sister produced Marionette Pantomimes for which they made everything, including scenery.

His cousin, Hely Almond, was headmaster at Loretto School, where he gained a Singing Scholarship. While there, during a severe illness, he began modelling. Thus, with his marionette-making and his model- ling he showed that he possessed the sine qua non of all artists, a good pair of hands and an inventive turn of mind.

In 1905 he became a Design, and later a Sculpture Student at the Royal Institution School of Art at the Mound, Edinburgh—moving, when the College of Art opened its doors, to Lauriston Place. In 1910 he went as a Scholar to the British School at Rome.

The Arch of Titus happened to be scaffolded for repairs and Commendatore Boni, in charge of the Forum Excavations, encouraged “P. J.” to make measured drawings of it. This work, most competently done, which gave “P. J.” the opportunity to study closely Classical Design resulted in warm commendation at the British School.

After studying at Edinburgh and Rome, his professional career began. Having already had works accepted by the R.A. and the R.S.A., his long association with Sir Robert Lorimer had begun. At the outbreak of the First World War he was commissioned to the Ayrshire Artillery Brigade, and, serving in Palestine as a Staff Officer under Allenby, was mentioned in Despatches.

Following demobilization he set to work, becoming one of the group of sculptors Lorimer recruited for the Scottish National War Memorial. This collaboration lasted until Sir Robert’s death in 1929—the last commission being the Livingston Memorial at Blantyre, Lanarkshire. “P_ J.’ was now firmly established, one ready to turn his hand to any commission that came his way from the design of simple wrought iron, a Regimental or personal memorial, a portrait bust—even a Mace; a steady flow issued from his studio.

In the 1920s he paid two visits to Stockholm where he came under the powerful influence of Carl Milles. During the 1930s he made a large number of statuettes for the United Services Museum at Edinburgh Castle, representing Scottish historical military types.

His delight in historical research found full scope in establishing meticulous accuracy in uniforms and accoutrements. But the greatest opportunity of his life—to which he rose with mastery— came with the execution of his heroic equestrian bronze statue, “The 3ruce”’, for the Battlefield of Bannockburn.

His gift of creative organization, indispensable to so great a work and for historical research came into full play. The result is a symbolic monument of great dignity and heraldic splendour. For many years a member of the Royal Fine Art Commission for Scotland, in 1942 he became President of the Society of Scottish Artists.

As a Fellow of the Royal Society of British Sculptors, he acted for many years as its enthusiastic Scottish correspondent, his greatest contribution being the invaluable Form of Contract he worked out for Sculptors and their clients. This he was particularly well fitted to undertake as almost all his work had been commissioned. He himself was extremely business-like: the haphazard way in which most of his colleagues conducted their practice horrified him!

He himself said that the only works he did ‘‘for pure joy without being commissioned were those of the Polische Libre and the busts of his wives’’, the first of whom SITE oS TST SS os ES Nes Sey Mata! aR ‘ had died in 1951.

He is survived by his second wife and by the two children of his first marriage. “Pp. J.”, faithful to his mother’s teaching, was always ready to give a helping hand to aspiring artists. He was most hospitable, loving to have his colleagues and his friends to his beautiful home. A feature of such occasions was always a visit to his excellently appointed studio to see and discuss his current work.

Pilkington Jackson was not elected to this Academy until 1956. His inaugural speech at the Members Lunch in 1956 was confidently delivered at some length in amusing verse that was yet another example of his polished skills. At his own request he was transferred to the Honorary Retired List in 1968.

RSA Obituary by Hew Lorimer. Transcribed from the 1973 RSA Annual Report