Morris Harding

Born 1874; died 1964
Harding was trained as a sculptor in the studio of his uncle, Harry Bates A.R.A. (1850-99) and later worked as an assistant to J M Swan (1847-1910). He showed a particular interest in animal sculpture. He was brought to Belfast to work on St. Anne's Catherdral and liked Belfast so much he stayed. In 1950 he was awarded an O.B.E.. He was given an honorary M.A. degree by the Queen's University of Belfast in 1958. The Ulster Museum has a number of his animal sculptures.