Statues feature strongly in many town centres. They are an important indication of how towns have developed. It was, and still is, quite usual for towns to celebrate their famous sons and daughters, or individuals who may have had a positive impact on the lives of people, through the erection of statues. Before the twentieth century, many were funded by public subscription and so can hint strongly at the civic values of their period. They may also reflect important elements of public life: religious, national, royal, social, imperial, or military.

Whereas clock towers more often celebrated joyful events, statues may have had a more sombre purpose. They were created sometimes to commemorate military victories and as a public display of gratitude for those who served or had given their lives in war. Many statues, for example, were put up as acts of remembrance for those who had served in the First World War. What a nation or a town sought to celebrate suggests the things that many people considered to be of lasting value. 

Myddleton

Since they often have a local flavour, statues can offer information that can be easily followed up in district libraries and museums. Hugh Myddleton brought fresh piped water to north London. But even if you don’t know what the person depicted did, the figures that often surround them can give a hint that you can pursue. Here, the cherubs are holding water jugs! 

War memorial

This memorial is slightly unusual because it remembers the ‘Boer’ War (1899-1902), rather than the First World War. The figure represents ‘Victory’. It was put up by public subscription and specifically commemorates the local soldiers who served. Such gestures helped to bind together communities and were sources of civic pride. In this case, the statue also shows us the power of imperialism in the Victorian popular imagination.  

Max Miller

Towns do not simply celebrate their ‘worthy’ offspring – from the twentieth century they frequently commemorated people such as entertainers. This statue of the old variety star, Max Miller, was erected in his hometown of Brighton in 2005. It was funded mainly by donations from his Appreciation Society – a novel form of public subscription! 

Taking it further

If you are curious about this type of heritage, you may like the Open University’s course, Heritage, whose heritage? (A180). Also, From Enlightenment to Romanticism c.1780-1830 (A207) may interest you.