Biography:

Born in Westminster, London. Belt began his career as a sculptor when he worked in the studio of John Henry Foley, an architectural carver, from 1869-1870. He then was an assistant to the sculptor Charles Bennett Lawes-Wittewronge from 1871 to 1875, before beginning a partnership with Lawes that lasted until 1881. Belt had won an important commission for a memorial sculpture for Lord Byron, and laws stated in a Vanity Fair magazine interview that it was he, not Belt, who had produced the model for the entry. At this point Belt sued Lawes for libel, and thus began one of the longest and most interesting of English trials. It ran from Mid-June till December of 1882, with dozens of witnesses called to testify for both sides. The jury found in favor of Belt and awarded him 5,000 pounds. Lawes continued to pursue the issue and in March, 1884, the court affirmed the original award which had now increased to 10,000 pounds.

Lawes promptly filed for bankruptcy to avoid making payment to Belt.

In 1886, Belt was back in the courtroom, this time being accused of gaining money under false pretenses from Sir William Neville Abdy. Belt was found guilty and sentenced to 12 months hard labor.

He retired 1900, but by 1917 had returned to sculpting and exhibited a bust of Lord Kitchener at the Royal Academy.