Statue of John Laird

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Coordinates: 53°23′38″N 3°01′00″W / 53.39379°N 3.01673°W / 53.39379; -3.01673
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Statue of John Laird

The Statue of John Laird stands on the west side of Hamilton Square, Birkenhead, Merseyside, England. It commemorates the life of John Laird, a local ship builder, politician and benefactor. The statue was sculpted by Albert Bruce-Joy, and unveiled in 1877 by Lord Tollemache. It is recorded in the National Heritage List for England as a designated Grade II listed building.

History

Main article: John Laird (shipbuilder)

John Laird (1805–74) was a shipbuilder and politician. He was born in

Mersey Docks and Harbour Board, where he played a major part in the completion of Birkenhead Docks. In addition Laird was a benefactor, helping to provide hospitals, churches and colleges in the town.[1]

Following his death in 1874 a public meeting was organised, and it was agreed that a statue should be erected, paid for by public subscription. More than the £2,500 needed for the statue was raised, the remainder being used for social purposes in the town. A competition for the design of the statue was arranged, and the first prize of £150 was won by Albert Bruce-Joy, a young Irish sculptor. The statue was made at the foundry of Robert Masefield and Company in Chelsea. It was unveiled on 31 October 1877 by Lord Tollemache, the occasion being witnessed by between 12,000 and 15,000 people. Originally it stood on the east side of Hamilton Square facing Birkenhead Town Hall, but was moved to the west side of the square in 1925 when the Birkenhead War Memorial was erected.[3]

Description

John Laird in 1861

The figure of John Laird is in bronze, and this stands on a pedestal in granite and stone. The figure is about 3.2 metres (10 ft) high and the pedestal is about 4.4 metres (14 ft) in height. Laird is depicted standing, as if speaking to a meeting, dressed in contemporary dress, including a buttoned coat and a loose overcoat. In his right hand he is holding plans for Birkenhead Docks. On the base of the statue are inscribed the details of the sculptor and the founders. The inscription the pedestal reads as follows.[4]

JOHN LAIRD
BORN 14 JUNE 1805
DIED 29 OCTOBER 1874

Appraisal

The statue was designated as a Grade II listed building on 28 March 1974.

Belfast News-Letter praised the fact that he was "represented in the ordinary dress of an English gentlemen", rather than "the senseless costume of the toga", which was fashionable in statues at the time.[7]

See also
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Statue of John Laird.

References

Citations

  1. ^ a b Morris & Roberts (2012), p. 26
  2. ^ Laughton (2009)
  3. ^ Morris & Roberts (2012), pp. 24–26
  4. ^ Morris & Roberts (2012), p. 24
  5. ^ Historic England & 1292156
  6. ^ Historic England
  7. ^ Morris & Roberts (2012), pp. 25–26

Sources

  • Laughton, J. K. (rev. Lionel Alexander Richie) (2009) [2004]. "Laird, John (1805–1874)".
    doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/15894. Retrieved 13 January 2014. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.) ((subscription or UK public library membership
    required))
  • Morris, Edward; Roberts, Emma (2012), Public Sculpture of Cheshire and Merseyside (excluding Liverpool), Public Sculpture of Britain, vol. 15, Liverpool: Liverpool University Press,
    ISBN 978-1-84631-492-6
  • Historic England, "Statue of John Laird (1292156)", National Heritage List for England, retrieved 13 January 2014
  • Historic England, Listed Buildings, retrieved 11 April 2015

External links

53°23′38″N 3°01′00″W / 53.39379°N 3.01673°W / 53.39379; -3.01673

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