William Newman (woodcarver)

It has been emphasised that, despite the persistent idea that Grinling Gibbons was responsible for much of the carving in the rebuilt City churches, in the building accounts and parish minute-books Gibbons's name appears only once, in connection with the exceptional altarpiece at St Mary Abchurch,[2] a church which also contains carvings by William Newman and William Emmett.

[4] In 1676–77 Newman was employed for making the altar-table and rails, and the altar-piece, for Wren's rebuilding of St Stephen Coleman Street.

The Guildhall Collections also include designs by Thomas Creecher and William Newman for the pulpit and font, which were submitted competitively for selection.

[11] In 1681–82 Creecher and Newman were again employed to construct wainscots ten feet high for the Vestry room, and screens for the east and west doors.

[12] The surviving reredos at St Martin Ludgate may incorporate Newman's work, in the cherub heads, palm fronds and urns featured within the tall pedimented structure.