Dr Johnson Statue

This list entry was subject to a Minor Amendment on 16/09/2015

SK1109NE 1094-1/5/121

LICHFIELD, MARKET SQUARE (North West side), Dr Johnson Statue

(Formerly Listed as: MARKET PLACE Dr Johnson Statue)

05/02/52

GV II*

Statue of Dr Samuel Johnson. 1838. By Richard Cockle Lucas. Ashlar. Seated statue on plinth. Plinth has torus moulding to base; 3 sides with reliefs illustrating scenes from Johnson's life, influenced by Donatello's Schiacciato Relief (Pevsner p194); rear panel has inscription commemorating the gift of the statue by Dr James Thomas Law, Chancellor of the Diocese, with later plaque commemorating the 200th anniversary of Johnson's death. Seated figure of Johnson in academic robes, deep in thought, on a Greek Revival chair with books beneath. Dr Johnson, 1709-84, writer and critic, edited the dictionary for which he is chiefly remembered, one of the 2 great landmarks in the history of English dictionaries. (Buildings of England: Pevsner N: Staffordshire: London: 1974-: P.194; Drabble M: The Oxford Companion to English Literature: Oxford: 1985-: P.274, 513-5).

Listing NGR: SK1174209561