Richard Raffan is a famous woodturner, author, and instructor who helped popularize the craft of woodturning

Woodturning

Woodturning is a form of woodworking that is used to create wooden objects on a lathe . Woodturning differs from most other forms of woodworking in that the wood is moving while a stationary tool is used to cut and shape it...

 in the 1970s, and head the "art turning" movement that saw turned objects move into galleries and be considered works of art.

He was born at Zeal Monachorum

Zeal Monachorum

Zeal Monachorum is a village and civil parish in the Mid Devon district of Devon, England, about north-west of Exeter, situated on the River Yeo...

 in Devon in the UK, lived in Sydney

Sydney

Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...

, Australia

Australia

Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...

 from 1947 to 1950, and returned to Devon

Devon

Devon is a large county in southwestern England. The county is sometimes referred to as Devonshire, although the term is rarely used inside the county itself as the county has never been officially "shired", it often indicates a traditional or historical context.The county shares borders with...

 where he was raised. He emigrated to Australia

Australia

Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...

 in 1982.

Books

Richard Raffan has written the following books published by Taunton Press

Taunton Press

Taunton Press, based in Newtown, Connecticut is a publisher of periodicals, books, and websites for the hobbyist and building trades. It was established in 1975 by Paul Roman and his wife Jan.- Publications and Products :...

:

• Taunton's Complete Illustrated Guide to Turning (2004). ISBN 978-1-56158-672-1.
• The Art of Turned Bowls (2008). ISBN 978-1-56158-954-8.
• Turning Bowls with Richard Raffan (2001), ISBN 978-1-56158-508-3.
• Turning Boxes with Richard Raffan (2002). ISBN 978-1-56158-509-0.
• Turning Projects with Richard Raffan, Third Edition (2008). ISBN 978-1-56158-956-2.
• Turning Wood with Richard Raffan, Third Edition(2008). ISBN 978-1-56158-956-2.
• Woodturning Basics (2007). (Contributor) Special issue of Fine Woodworking
  Fine Woodworking
  -Editorial style:The magazine's editorial direction has always been to focus on the very best of woodworking techniques at the highest level of skill. There has always a blend of articles from hands-on techniques, complex theory behind timber, finishes or tools, through to sheer showcase admiration...
  
  

Richard Raffan has starred in the following videos:

• The New Turning Wood DVD (2008). ISBN 978-1-56158-957-9.
• Turning Bowls DVD (2009). ISBN 978-1-60085-147-6.
• Turning Boxes DVD. ISBN 978-1-56158-707-0.
• Turning Projects DVD. ISBN 978-1-56158-708-7.

Style

Richard is known for using native Australian woods, for the architectural influences in his turned objects, and for his groupings of related objects into sets (e.g. his "Citadel" and "Tower" series of boxes, etc.)