Sculptor, draughtsman and teacher, born in Birstall, Leicestershire, whose interest in the countryside was fostered by visits to his grandparents. Although as an artist Ford’s main interest became landscape and the human being within it, he had “no desire to be descriptive; I consider myself to be a mystical artist, that is to say, I wish to indicate the cause behind the effect.” Ford attended Gateway School, Leicester, 1943–6, winning the Sir Jonathon North Gold Medal, 1944. Studied at Leicester College of Art and Design, 1947–9, winning The Clephan Prize, 1947; Royal College of Art, 1950–4, winning The Continuation Scholarship, 1953; and won Prix de Rome for Sculpture, 1955, attending the British School, Rome, 1955–7. In 1961 Ford won the National Sculpture Competition, Newcastle upon Tyne.