Statue of Edward Jenner, London facts for kids
A statue of Edward Jenner, a famous doctor and scientist, stands in Kensington Gardens in London. Jenner was a pioneer who created the world's first vaccine. The statue was made by the sculptor William Calder Marshall. It is made of bronze.
The statue was first shown to the public by Albert, Prince Consort on May 17, 1858. This happened in Trafalgar Square. Later, in 1862, it was moved to its current spot in Kensington Gardens. Today, it is a special historical monument called a Grade II listed building.
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What the Statue Looks Like
The statue shows Edward Jenner sitting down. He holds some papers in one hand. The statue rests on a base made of Portland stone. Jenner's last name is carved on the front of this base. At the very bottom of the base, you can see 'W. Calder Marshall, R. A. Sculpt. 1858'. This tells you who made it and when.
The Important Plaque
There is also a bronze plaque on the ground in front of the statue. It shares more details about Edward Jenner. The plaque says:
Edward Jenner, MD, FRS, 1749–1823, country doctor who benefited mankind.
In Jenner's time smallpox was a dreaded disease worldwide and caused many deaths particularly of children. Survivors were left badly scarred and often blinded or deformed.
In 1796 Jenner vaccinated James Phipps with cowpox and showed that the boy was then immune to smallpox. He predicted the worldwide eradication of smallpox. This was finally achieved in 1980.
Jenner was born, practised and died in Berkeley, Gloucestershire and studied at St. George's Hospital, London.
This statue by William Calder Marshall RA was inaugurated by Prince Albert, the Prince Consort, and was the first to be erected in Kensington Gardens in 1862. The cost was met by international subscription.
This plaque explains that smallpox was a terrible disease. It caused many deaths, especially among children. People who survived often had scars or lost their sight. In 1796, Jenner used cowpox to protect a boy named James Phipps from smallpox. This showed that vaccination worked. Jenner hoped smallpox would disappear from the world. This finally happened in 1980. The plaque also mentions that people from many countries helped pay for the statue.
How the Statue Was Created
In 1853, a law was passed in the United Kingdom. It made vaccination compulsory. Around this time, the sculptor Calder Marshall became well-known. He had shown a sculpture of Jenner at The Great Exhibition in 1851. People then started a public fund to build a memorial for Jenner in London.
Many countries gave money generously. However, people in Britain were not as supportive. Despite this, the finished statue was a big success. Prince Albert, who was Queen Victoria's husband, officially revealed it. This was a great moment for those who supported vaccination.
Why the Statue Was Moved
The statue was first placed in Trafalgar Square. This was a very public spot. However, some people did not like it there. People who were against vaccination opposed it. Also, military leaders were not happy. In 1858, Trafalgar Square only had statues of important military figures.
A newspaper at the time joked about it. It said that military veterans were shocked. They could not believe a doctor, a civilian, was given a place there. And he was sitting down while all the military heroes were standing!
Calls to Move the Statue
Newspapers like The Times and even members of Parliament asked for the statue to be moved. But with royal support, it stayed in Trafalgar Square. It remained there until 1862. This was two months after Prince Albert passed away in December 1861.
In 1862, a doctor named Frederick William Headland compared Jenner's statue to the military ones. He pointed out that the military statues stayed in Trafalgar Square. He said this was "because they killed their fellow-creatures, whereas he only saved them."
Later Efforts to Return It
There were later suggestions to move the statue back to a more important place. A letter to The Times suggested this in 1923. The idea came up again in 1937. In 2010, a new campaign started. This was the 30th anniversary of smallpox being completely wiped out. This amazing achievement began with Jenner's vaccine.
