Graham Ibbeson MA (b.1951) ''William Webb Ellis'' Signed and numbered 2/40, bronze on a slate base, 40.5cm high Sold together with a copy of ''Graham Ibbeson - The People's Sculptor - Bronze, Clay and Life'' by John Threlkeld with Graham Ibbeson, 2011 and certificate of authenticity Born in Barnsley, South Yorkshire Graham Ibbeson has been a professional sculptor since graduating from the Royal College of Art in 1978. He has developed an international reputation exhibiting in galleries throughout Europe, the USA, and Asia as well as his work being held in many private and public collections. Ibbeson's ability to capture the essence of a character with warmth and humanity sets him apart from many other sculptors as seen here in his depiction of William Webb Ellis, the inventor of rugby football while a pupil at Rugby School, modelled on his own son. According to legend, Webb Ellis picked up the ball and ran with it during a school football match in 1823 thus creating the ''rugby'' style of play. The founder's name was given to the trophy awarded to the winners of the Rugby World Cup. In September 1997 and a splendid statue by Ibbeson was unveiled outside Rugby School. See illustration