Statue Of Hr Marsden

LEEDS

SE2935 WOODHOUSE LANE, Woodhouse Moor 714-1/24/1283 (North side (off)) 05/08/76 Statue of HR Marsden (Formerly Listed as: HYDE PARK, Woodhouse Moor Statue of HR Marsden of the east side of Woodhouse Moor)

GV II

Statue. 1878. Approximately life-size, the figure is in contemporary dress with mayoral robe and chain of office and carrying a scroll. On a square marble pedestal with cornice and stepped plinth. The pedestal is inscribed: 'H R MARSDEN/ 1878/ ERECTED BY UPWARDS OF/ 30,000 SUBSCRIBERS'; the sides and rear have plaques carved in low relief and depicting; 'EDUCATION', 'INDUSTRY' and 'BENEVOLENCE'. HISTORICAL NOTE: Henry Rowland Marsden was born in 1823, the son of a soldier; he worked at Marshall's flax mill and became an apprentice tool-maker to William Wesley. In 1848 he emigrated to New York and worked for a firm of engineers where he patented several inventions, most important being a stone-crushing machine in 1855 (depicted on the 'industry' plaque). In 1862 he returned to Leeds, was a member of the Council in 1866, elected a Liberal Alderman in 1872 and was mayor for 2 years, 1873-75, during which time he entertained the Duke of Edinburgh. Marsden was very popular and a book about his mayoralty was published in 1875. He died in 1876; his memorial is in Holbeck Cemetery (qv). The statue originally stood closer to the city centre, at the junction of Merrion Street and Woodhouse Lane. (Curtis JS: The Story of the Marsden Mayoralty: Leeds: 1875-).

Listing NGR: SE2928335118