Samuel James Kitson

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Samuel James Kitson (1848-1906) was a fine arts sculptor active in the United States from about 1876 to 1906. He maintained studios in New York City and Boston Mass. Most of his statuary were executed in marble. Many were religious in nature. His work comprised of full body statues, head and shoulder portraits and friezes. After the death of his older brother John William Kitson he became more active in his Boston Studio where his younger brother Henry Hudson Kitson joined him. This information is provided by hie great grand-niece.

Samuel James Kitson was born in Berry Brow Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, England, in 1848 to John McWhire and Emma Jaggar Kitson, the fourth child and second son. He was a most promising artist and attracted a benefactor who provided funds for his continuing education. He studied in Rome Italy 1870-1873 and received two gold awards. Due to the presence of his older brother William in NYC, Ellin & Kitson, his brother's firm whose emphasis was the decoration of churches and fime residences Samuel relocated there and began to receive private commissions as well as employment with Ellin & Kitson. It was due to this association he began religious statuary.

While most of Samuel's work was not as public as his younger brother Henry Hudson Kitson it is quite extensive. Some of his works are as follows: most of the statuary of the William Kissam Vanderbilt House, New York City; the north frieze of the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Arch, Bushnell Park, Hartford, Connecticut; Orestes Brownson Memorial, Fordham University, the Bronx; Henry W. Longfellow 1879 Vassall-Craigie-Longfellow House National Historical Park, Cambridge Mass; Statues of Mary and of the Sacred Heart Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church W 71st St. NYC.

He was married to Anne Meredith of Boston. They had no issue and are buried at Woodlawn next to his brother John William Kitson.

[edit] References

• Family and Business letters, Award Documents, Studio Photos of executed works held by family historian
• cdl.library.cornell.edu "A Fine Stone Structure" The Manufacturer and Builder October 1884 page 228,