Edwardes Statue

WEYMOUTH

SY6878NW ESPLANADE 873-1/24/160 (West side) Edwardes Statue

II

Commemorative statue to Sir Henry Edwardes. 1885. By W and T Wills. Statue in white Sicilian marble, plinth in Cornish granite. The naturalistic figure, over life-size, stands on a square pedestal approx 3m high, with blocking-course on a moulded capping, tall shaft with inscription, moulded plinth and double-stepped base. The inscription reads, in part: 'Erected by public inscription AD 1885.. (to) Sir HENRY EDWARDES,MP, One of the Representatives of Weymouth and Melcombe Regis....... to 1885, When the town ceased to be A Parliamentary Borough'. HISTORICAL NOTE: The Southern Times of 16 January 1886 reported the public unveiling of the statue in a fulsome encomium, which includes '.... pronounced by competent authorities to be a splendid work of art....The action is excellent, being dignified and full of life..... The cost...will be close on »800'. The same report contrasts the statue with '...that hideous monstrosity known as the King's Statue...'. Current assessments of the artistic contrast might not be the same, but Sir Henry was a great benefactor to Weymouth, including, for instance, the Almshouses in Rodwell Avenue, James Street, and Rodwell Avenue (qv), so that the monument has local historical interest. (The Southern Times: 16 January 1886: Weymouth).

Listing NGR: SY6809378912