William Randolph Barbee

William Randolph Barbee (17 January 1818 – 16 June 1868) was an American sculptor recognized for creating idealized, sentimental classical figures.

Barbee was born in a part of Culpeper County, Virginia, that later became Rappahannock County. For a time he practiced law in Luray, Virginia. In the mid-1850s he moved to Florence, Italy, where he acquired a studio. Barbee's most notable works were marble sculptures entitled "Coquette" and "Fisher Girl." He also completed a plaster bust of James L. Orr, Speaker of the United States House of Representatives.

Barbee returned to the United States in 1858. He left two major works unfinished at his death, "The Star of the West" (a depiction of Pocahontas) and "The Lost Pleiad." He died near Luray and was buried in Green Hill Cemetery there.

References

* John T. Kneebone et al., eds., "Dictionary of Virginia Biography" (Richmond: Library of Virginia, 1998- ), 1:326-327. ISBN 0-88490-189-0.