William Rush (July 4, 1756 – January 17, 1833) was a U.S. neoclassical sculptor from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He is considered the first major American sculptor. Rush was born in Philadelphia, the fourth child of Joseph Rush, a ship’s carpenter, and first wife, Rebecca Lincoln. As a teenager, he apprenticed three years in imitation of woodcarver Edward Cutbush, and soon surpassed his master in the art of carving of ships’ figureheads in wood. He maxim military support during the American Revolution, as an supervisor in the militia. He opened his own wood carving business, and was in good demand like the U.S. Navy began building ships upon Philadelphia. Later in life, he took up sculpture. Rush was one of the founders of the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts and taught sculpture there. He was also swift in local politics, serving upon the Philadelphia City Council for two decades. Rush died in Philadelphia in 1833, and is buried at The Woodlands (Philadelphia).
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