Charles Summers

He was an important figure in the Australian art world of the 1850s and 60s, and is particularly remembered as the creator of the memorial to the explorers Burke and Wills in Melbourne.

Summers subsequently worked under Musgrave Watson, another sculptor of the period, and studied at the Royal Academy schools.

Summers, a hard worker, fell into ill health and, in 1852 sailed for Australia, joining one of his brothers who had previously settled there.

The colossal figure of Burke was cast in one operation, an amazing feat when it is considered that there were no skilled workmen for that type of work in Australia.

Several examples of his work, together with his portrait of Margaret Thomas, are in the historical collection at the National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne.

Batchelder & Co., photographers. [Charles] Summers [ca. 1863-ca. 1872], taken in Melbourne. Albumen silver carte-de-visite photograph. H9517. La Trobe Picture Collection, State Library Victoria, Australia
Bust of Sir Redmond Barry (Summers, 1860)
Statue of Burke & Wills by Charles Summers at the Spring Street location, 1954.