Dictionary of National Biography, 1912 supplement/Stevenson, David Watson
STEVENSON, DAVID WATSON (1842–1904), Scottish sculptor, born at Ratho, Midlothian, on 25 March 1842, was son of Wilham Stevenson, builder. Educated at the village school, Ratho, he was for eight years (1860–8) in Edinburgh as pupil of the sculptor William Brodie [q. v.]. During that time he attended the School of Art and the Life School of the Royal Scottish Academy. In 1868 he took a studio at Edinburgh and commenced work as a sculptor on his own account. Subsequently, in 1876, he pursued his studies in Rome, and later interest in modern French sculpture took him frequently to Paris. Elected an associate of the Royal Scottish Academy in 1877, he gradually added to his reputation, and in 1886 he was chosen academician. As early as 1868 he undertook the groups of 'Labour' and 'Learning' for the Prince Consort memorial, Edinburgh, and amongst later commissions of a monumental kind were the Platt memorial, Oldham, the colossal figure of Wallace for the national monument on the Abbey Craig, and statues of Tannahill at Paisley, 'Highland Mary' at Dunoon, and Burns at Leith. Of his ideal works, 'Nymph at the Stream,' 'Echo,' 'Galatea,' and 'The Pompeian Mother' may be named. He also executed many portrait busts. While his earlier work was pseudo-classic in manner, his later shows a certain sensitiveness to modern developments in which realism, individuality, and style are combined. After a few years of failing health, he died unmarried in Edinburgh on 18 March 1904. His younger brother, Mr. W. G. Stevenson, R.S.A., is a sculptor, and his sister, Mrs. Drew, is an accomplished embroiderer.