George Henry Paulin

Who was George Henry Paulin?

George Henry Paulin, often called Harry Paulin, or 'GHP' was a Scottish sculptor and artist of great note in the early 20th century.

Born on 14 August 1888 in Muckhart manse, the eldest son of the Reverend George Paulin, the local Church of Scotland minister. He attended Dollar Academy from 1900 to 1905 where he displayed great artistic talent, primarily as a sculptor and carver. During his youth he attracted the interest of a neighbouring artist, Sholto Johnstone Douglas who lived at Birkhill, Muckhart, where the Paulin family moved following Rev. Paulin's death. He pressed the family into sending Harry to Edinburgh College of Art. As a result, Harry was withdrawn from school a year early and dispatched to Edinburgh.

At the end of his college period, he was awarded a Diploma in Sculpture and a travelling scholarship to Paris and Rome. He attended L'Ecole des Beaux Arts in Paris for 12 months, where he shared a flat with fellow artist James Gunn, later to become Sir James Gunn RA. Harry then moved to Florence, setting up studio there for 4 years, during which time he frequently visited Rome.