Gladstone Statue in the Strand
More information
Title
Gladstone Statue in the Strand
Gladstone Statue in the Strand
Reference
SC_PHL_01_532_3410 (Collage 140250)
Date
Collection
London Metropolitan Archives: LCC Photograph Library
Description
Gladstone statue outside St Clement Danes Church, Strand, City of Westminster. A bronze statue of Liberal Prime Minister William Ewart Gladstone (1809-1898) in robes of the Chancellor of the Exchequer by Sir William Hamo Thornycroft. Unveiled on 4th November 1905 by the MP John Morley, a supporter and biographer of Gladstone, this may have been the unveiling ceremony due to the assembled large group of smartly dressed men and boys. Around the circular Portland stone pedestal are bronze allegorical figures representing Gladstone's strengths and ideals: education, courage, aspiration, brotherhood. The statue is Grade II listed, number 1237098. St Clement Danes church is Grade I listed, number 1237099. The first church on the site was reputedly founded in the ninth century by the Danes; it was first rebuilt by William the Conqueror, and then again later in the fifteenth century. Shortly after the Great Fire of London in 1666, further repairs to the steeple were attempted, but these were found impractical, and the whole tower was rebuilt from the foundations. Work was completed in 1669. Soon afterwards it was decided that the rest of the church was in such a poor state that it too should be completely rebuilt to a design by Sir Christopher Wren, incorporating the existing tower which was reclad. The new church was constructed from Portland Stone, with an apse at the east end. The church was almost destroyed by German bombs during the London Blitz on 10th May 1941. The outer walls, the tower and steeple survived the bombing, but the interior was gutted by fire. As a result of the blaze, the church's ten bells fell to the ground. A nursery rhyme commemorates the bells: 'Oranges and Lemons say the bells of St Clements'. The bells were recast after the war and the church was restored under the supervision of Sam Lloyd. It was re-consecrated on 19th October 1958 to become the Central Church of the Royal Air Force.
Gladstone statue outside St Clement Danes Church, Strand, City of Westminster. A bronze statue of Liberal Prime Minister William Ewart Gladstone (1809-1898) in robes of the Chancellor of the Exchequer by Sir William Hamo Thornycroft. Unveiled on 4th November 1905 by the MP John Morley, a supporter and biographer of Gladstone, this may have been the unveiling ceremony due to the assembled large group of smartly dressed men and boys. Around the circular Portland stone pedestal are bronze allegorical figures representing Gladstone's strengths and ideals: education, courage, aspiration, brotherhood. The statue is Grade II listed, number 1237098. St Clement Danes church is Grade I listed, number 1237099. The first church on the site was reputedly founded in the ninth century by the Danes; it was first rebuilt by William the Conqueror, and then again later in the fifteenth century. Shortly after the Great Fire of London in 1666, further repairs to the steeple were attempted, but these were found impractical, and the whole tower was rebuilt from the foundations. Work was completed in 1669. Soon afterwards it was decided that the rest of the church was in such a poor state that it too should be completely rebuilt to a design by Sir Christopher Wren, incorporating the existing tower which was reclad. The new church was constructed from Portland Stone, with an apse at the east end. The church was almost destroyed by German bombs during the London Blitz on 10th May 1941. The outer walls, the tower and steeple survived the bombing, but the interior was gutted by fire. As a result of the blaze, the church's ten bells fell to the ground. A nursery rhyme commemorates the bells: 'Oranges and Lemons say the bells of St Clements'. The bells were recast after the war and the church was restored under the supervision of Sam Lloyd. It was re-consecrated on 19th October 1958 to become the Central Church of the Royal Air Force.
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