William Mossop

Life
1751-1804; b. Dublin, ed. Bluecoat School; apprentice to seal-cutter, set up at 4 Bull lane; first medal struck for John Beresford in 1782; prize medal for RIA, RDS, and Orange Association, &c.; used Wicklow copper for coinage; d. of apoplexy, 28 Jan., 1804 at 68 Mecklenburgh St., Dublin. RR ODNB DIB

Richard Ryan, Biographia Hibernica: Irish Worthies, Vol.II [of 2] (London & Dublin 1821)

A MEDALLIST of considerable abilities, was born in Dublin in 1754, and nearly related to the subject of the foregoing memoir. He commenced his professional pursuits under the direction of a Mr. Johnstone, in the linen seal cutting, and by progressive steps, in 1784, he appeared a medallist. His first work was a medal of Thomas Ryder the comedian, which was so much admired as a production of art, that it drew the attention of every person of taste in Dublin, and established his character as an artist. His subsequent works were numer rous; his last was the medal of the Dublin Society, which, for delicacy of finishing, boldness, and spirit of execution, has not been surpassed by the work of any modern artist. He died in 1806, of a fit of apoplexy. His private character was in every respect exemplary.

[See full-text copy, in RICORSO > Library > Criticism [...] > Legacy - via index as attached]

Notes
Sir John Gilbert, History of the City of Dublin (1972 rep. edn.), Vol. III, Appendix VII & VIII, gives lists of medals struck by the Mossops [an account apparently by Mossop Jr.; vide DIB]. Works of the Elder include the Bantry Bay Medal, struck to commemorate the driving off of the French Fleet, obverse, a troubled sea with ships in distress, bearing the motto ‘Afflavit Deus at dissipantur,’ with Jan. MDCCXXCVII on the exergue. See also Richard Ryan, Biographia Hibernica: Irish Worthies (1821), Vol. II, p.444.

Irish coin-makers,: Mossop is cited with the Woodhouses and Parkes as "coin-makers" in W. B. Stanford, Ireland and the Classical Tradition (IAP 1976; 1984 edn.). Note also that William Stephen (1788-1827), projected a series of medals of distinguished Irishmen [ODNB].

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