George Walker Milburn was born in York, England on 17 June 1844 and was apprenticed as a woodcarver to Messrs Waddington, a piano manufacturer. He also attended York School of Art where he won several medals and awards. He subsequently moved to London where he trained in the studio of the sculptor Samuel Ruddock (c.1828-1903). In c.1872 he returned to York and established his own sculpture and carving business in York. When, in 1901, his son, Wilfred Joseph Milburn (1882-1949) joined the business, the firm became known as George W. Milburn & Son. G.F. Milburn and his company were responsible for much of the public sculpture in York including at the Cathedral. They also worked on commissions for the cathedrals in Durham, Chester, Lincoln, Carlisle and Rochester.