James Henry Pullen - Notability

Notability

Queen Victoria accepted some of the drawings and Prince Albert received one Pullen had drawn of the Siege of Sebastapol in the Crimean War, based on newspaper accounts. He even attracted interest of the Prince of Wales, future king Edward VIII; Pullen referred to him as "Friend Wales." Prince Edward sent him pieces of ivory so he could carve them. Sir Edwin Henry Landseer sent engravings of his paintings to Pullen and his brother Arthur so they could copy them.

Asylum superintendent Dr. John Langdon-Down, the discoverer of Down's syndrome, gave Pullen a great deal of leeway. For example, he was allowed to eat his meals with the staff.

Pullen's masterpiece is a model ship, The Great Eastern, that he spent seven years building; Pullen made all the details, including 5,585 rivets, 13 lifeboats and interior furniture in miniature, himself. In its maiden voyage the ship sank for lack of buoyancy (not correct - see reference to said ship) but Pullen repaired that flaw later. The ship was exhibited in the Crystal Palace.

Pullen also built a large mannequin in the middle of his workshop; he would sit inside it, manipulate its appendages and talk through a concealed bugle in its mouth.