Statue of Edmund Burke, Bristol facts for kids
The Statue of Edmund Burke in Bristol, England, is a bronze sculpture of Edmund Burke (1729–1797). It was made by James Havard Thomas in 1894. This statue is a Grade II listed landmark, which means it's an important historical structure. You can find it in an area of Bristol called The Centre. There is also a second copy of this statue in Washington, D.C. in the United States, located on Massachusetts Avenue. Some people used to think this statue was a copy of an older marble one from 1858, but that's not correct. The marble statue was made by William Theed, the younger.
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Who Was Edmund Burke?
Edmund Burke was a very important person in history. He was a writer, a thinker, and a politician. He is known for his ideas about politics and society. Burke was a Member of Parliament (MP) for Bristol from 1774 to 1780. An MP is a person elected to represent a group of people in the country's parliament, which is like a big meeting where laws are made.
The Statue in Bristol
The statue in Bristol celebrates Edmund Burke and his time representing the city. It helps people remember his contributions.
What Does the Statue Look Like?
The statue is made of bronze, which is a strong metal often used for sculptures. It stands on a base made of red granite, a type of hard stone. On the base, you can read an inscription that says: "BURKE / 1774-1780 / I wish to be an MP to have my share of doing good and resisting evil / Speech at Bristol 1780". This quote shows Burke's strong belief in helping people and fighting against bad things.
A Twin Statue Across the Ocean
It's interesting that there's another exact copy of this statue far away in Washington, D.C. This shows how important Edmund Burke's ideas were, not just in England but also in other parts of the world.
Important Landmarks Nearby
The Statue of Edmund Burke is part of a group of important memorials in Bristol. It stands near other historical landmarks. These include the Bristol Cenotaph, which is a monument to remember soldiers, and a special drinking fountain from the 1893 Industrial and Fine Art Exhibition. Until June 2020, a statue of Edward Colston also stood nearby. These monuments together tell a part of Bristol's rich history.
