Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Mills, George (1792?-1824)
MILLS, GEORGE (1792?–1824), medallist, was born in 1792 or before 28 Jan. 1793. He gained three gold medals from the Society of Arts, and exhibited at the Royal Academy from 1816 to 1823 (Redgrave, Dict. of Artists). His first patron was Benjamin West, P.R.A., who pronounced him the first medallist in England, and to whose memory Mills dedicated a portrait-medal. He was never employed at the Royal Mint, but engraved for James Mudie a silver pattern-crown of George III (Crowther, Engl. Pattern Coins, p. 38), and a pattern-crown (in gold and silver) of George IV, published by Whiteave (ib. p. 41). These patterns show little decorative taste, but he obtained three gold medals from the Society of Arts, presented as the reward of merit. Among Mills's medals which display moderate ability the following may be mentioned: 1. Admiral Sir J. T. Duckworth [1817?] (Num. Chron. 1890, p. 96, pl. iv. 15). 2. James Watt, rev. Watt's steam-engine [1819?] (Cochran-Patrick, Catal. of Scott. Medals, p. 117; pl. xxiv. 2). 3. Benjamin West [1820?] (Wroth, English Personal Medals, p. 21). 4. Medals for J. Mudie's series of ‘National Medals’ issued about 1820, including battle of Talavera (Grueber, Brit. Mus. Guide to Engl. Medals, No. 545), Sir John Moore, Lord Hill, Sir Thomas Picton, and Lord Lynedoch (ib. Nos. 554–7). 5. Visit of George IV to Ireland [1821], (reverse only; obv. by B. Wyon). 6. Medal of the Astronomical Society, first awarded in 1822, obv. bust of Newton, rev. Herschel's telescope (Hawkins, Med. Illustr. ii. 472, No. 88). 7. Lismore School medal (W. Frazer, Medallists of Ireland). Mills died at Birmingham on 28 Jan. 1824, aged 31 (Gent. Mag. 1824, pt. i. p. 186). His works are usually signed mills, sometimes g. mills.
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