Lives of the First World War

Sir Jacob Epstein KBE (10 November 1880 – 19 August 1959) was a British sculptor who helped pioneer modern sculpture. He was born in the United States, and moved to Europe in 1902, becoming a British citizen in 1911. He often produced controversial works which challenged taboos on what was appropriate subject matter for public artworks. He also made paintings and drawings, and often exhibited his work. He served briefly in the 38th Battalion of the Royal Fusiliers aka the Jewish Legion during World War I.

Major Jacob Epstein. Unit: 38th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers. Death: 1959. | Jacob Epstein (1880-1959) was born in New York, United States of America, of Polish parents. After moving to London in 1905, he became a naturalised British citizen in December 1910. Epstein was conscripted in autumn 1917 as a private in the Jewish 38 Battalion, Royal Fusiliers. However, following a breakdown, he was discharged in 1918 without having left England. Epstein was considered for an appointment as an official war artist, but this was never formalised.