John Henry Foley was an Irish sculptor born in 1818 in Dublin. He is best known for his detailed and expressive marble sculptures, which often depicted historical and mythological figures. Foley studied at the Royal Dublin Society and later moved to London, where he gained recognition for his work. Foley's most notable pieces include the statue of Daniel O'Connell in O'Connell Street, Dublin and the memorial to Sir Robert Peel in Westminster. He was a prominent figure in the Victorian art scene and contributed significantly to the field of sculpture until his death in 1874.