Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Wyon, Leonard Charles

924978Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900, Volume 63 — Wyon, Leonard Charles1900Warwick William Wroth

WYON, LEONARD CHARLES (1826–1891), chief engraver at the royal mint, born in 1826, was the eldest son of William Wyon [q. v.] He studied art under his father, and in his sixteenth year made various medals as studies (specimens in the British Museum). On the retirement of Merlin he was employed as second engraver to the royal mint, and in 1851 succeeded his father as chief engraver. Besides his work on the English coinage he was engaged on several colonial and foreign coinages, and executed many public and private medals, including most of the military and naval medals issued from 1851 onwards. He died on 20 Aug. 1891.

The following medals may be mentioned: 1846, the Rev. Theobald Mathew (Father Mathew); 1850, Edward VI (Bury St. Edmunds grammar school medal); Robert Stephenson (Menai Bridge); 1851, Truro prize medal, City of London School; 1853, South Africa medal (reverse); 1854, India medal, general service (reverse); 1854–5, Baltic medal (reverse); 1857, Arctic medal; 1857–8, Indian mutiny (reverse); 1863, the Albert medal and the society's medal of the Society of Arts; 1876, Arctic medal (reverse); 1882, Egypt medal; and 1885, Canada medal.

[Hawkins's Medallic Illustrations, ed. Franks and Grueber; Sainthill's Olla Podrida, ii. 401; Frazer's Medallists of Ireland; Mayo's Medals.]

W. W.