Steell, Sir John: b. 1804, d. 1891. Son of John Steell, a carver and gilder. At the age of fourteen was apprenticed to a wood-carver and also studied at the Trustees' Academy. After his apprenticeship Steell travelled to Rome where he lived and studied for several years.

In 1827 Steell carved a colossal statue in wood for the North British Fire and Insurance Corporation, and in 1833 modelled the group entitled "Alexander Taming Bucephalus. By 1829 he had become a member of the Royal Scottish Academy, and in 1838 was appointed sculptor to the Queen in Scotland. Steell was knighted on the occasion of the inauguration of his statue of the Prince Consort (Edinburgh) by Queen Victoria in 1876.