An American sculptor known for medals and architectural and large-scale works as well as designs for glass, Sidney Waugh was born in Amherst and initially trained at Amherst College before moving to the School of Architecture at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. In 1925 he travelled to Europe and spent several years studying in Rome and Paris. He won the prestigious Prix de Rome in 1929 and stayed in Europe until 1932. Waugh returned to the United States in 1933 and began designing for Steuben as their lead creative artist in 1934. His work was interrupted by World War II, during which Waugh served in the US Air Force and later became involved with the work of the Monuments, Fine Arts and Archives program under the Civil Affairs and Military Government Sections of the Allied Armies - popularly known as “The Monuments Men.” This international cohort of art experts tracked down art looted by the Nazis and restored objects to their former owners. Waugh received multiple honors for his war work. His artworks are visible on several public buildings in the US and are held in museums such as the Smithsonian and the Metropolitan Museum of Art, in addition to the Wellin.
