Anthony Wood

Anthony Wood, FSHA, FSSI (5 October 1925 – 16 February 2022) was a British heraldic artist and a master of heraldry. Biography Wood was born in the Edgbaston district of Birmingham on 5 October 1925. In 1943, Wood graduated from Oundle School. From 1943 to 1945 he continued his education at the Birmingham College of Art. After graduation he trained as a professional calligrapher, illuminator and heraldic artist. For some years he painted heraldry for various Officers at the College of Arms. From 1965 to 1986 Wood taught the subjects at Ealing Art College and Wimbledon Schools of Art. In 1968, he founded a full-time three-year Diploma course in calligraphy, heraldry, and manuscript illumination at the Reigate School of Art and Design. For many years it was the only course of its type in the world. Wood directed it as a Senior Lecturer for 19 years until 1987. He has been responsible for the training of many professional heraldic artists who achieved mastery in the profession. In August 1996, he attended the 22nd International Congress of Genealogical and Heraldic Sciences in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, as an artist delegate by invitation of the Canadian Heraldic Authority. The Congress, for the first time held outside of Europe, was considered to be a "historic meeting" for scientists and artists pursuing Heraldry in Modern Times. Wood was invited to attend the 23rd International Congress of Genealogical and Heraldic Sciences in Turin, Italy, in September 1998, where he gave a paper on Heraldic Art and Design.