Charles Albert Despiau (France 1874-1946) was born into a family of master-plastermakers in Mont-de-Marsin, France. He studied in Paris at the Ecole des Art Decoratifs under Hector Lemaire and Louis Ernest Barrias at the Ecole National des Beaux Arts.

Despiau became affiliated with the group of sculptors known as the Jeunes Sculpteurs Independents which also included Camille Claudel. August Rodin noticed his work and employed him from 1907-1914 as the manager of the marble store associated with the Rodin studio. He is known for his sculptures, drawings and lithographs as well as his portraits of notable personages including Andre Derain, Dunoyer de Segonzac, and Anne Morrow Lindbergh.