Statue of William Huskisson

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William Huskisson
William Huskisson statue, Pimlico 20171017 140034 (49504576273).jpg
Statue of William Huskisson
Artist John Gibson
Completion date1848
Subject William Huskisson
Location London
Coordinates 51°29′09″N0°08′00″W / 51.4857°N 0.1334°W / 51.4857; -0.1334
Listed Building – Grade II
Official nameStatue of William Huskisson in Pimlico Gardens
Designated4 January 2016
Reference no.1431794

The statue of William Huskisson is a marble statue in Pimlico Gardens, a small park in the Pimlico area of London. It was listed Grade II on the National Heritage List for England in January 2016. [1]

William Huskisson served as a Member of Parliament for Liverpool, but is more widely remembered as being the first fatal victim of a railway accident at the opening of the Liverpool and Manchester Railway which he had been involved in creating. It was his involvement in railways and the support of industry in Liverpool which would make him popular among his constituents. [2]

His death was considered a tragedy and a committee was formed with the aim of creating a memorial for Huskisson. The statue was designed by John Gibson, who, a practitioner of more classical styles of sculpture, depicted Huskisson in the Roman senatorial wear of a toga. [3] While this decision has been questioned, it was one which Huskisson's widow would appreciate. [2]

The statue in Pimlico Gardens was the second commissioned, with the original made for Huskisson's mausoleum in Liverpool. This copy was intended to be placed in Liverpool's Custom House but was given to Lloyd's of London unveiled in 1848 and stood in their offices in the Royal Exchange. In 1915 its ownership was then given to the London County Council and it was then installed in its current location. [4]

References

  1. ↑ Historic England. "Statue of William Huskisson in Pimlico Gardens (1431794)". National Heritage List for England . Retrieved 28 December 2025.
  2. 1 2 Blackwood, John; Irwin, Caroline, eds. (1989). London's immortals: the complete outdoor commemorative statues (1. publ ed.). London: Savoy Press. p. 180. ISBN   978-0-9514296-0-0.
  3. ↑ Baker, Margaret (2002). Discovering London statues and monuments. Discovering series (5. ed., revised and updated ed.). Princes Risborough: Shire Publications. p. 40. ISBN   978-0-7478-0495-6.
  4. ↑ Matthews, Peter (2012). London's statues and monuments. Shire Library. Oxford: Shire Publications. pp. 146–147. ISBN   978-0-7478-0798-8.
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