Statue of Hugh Myddelton, Islington Green facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Statue of Hugh Myddelton |
|
|---|---|
The statue in 2005
|
|
| Artist | John Thomas |
| Year | 1862 |
| Medium | Sicilian marble |
| Subject | Hugh Myddelton |
| Location | Islington Green, London |
| 51°32′08″N 0°06′13″W / 51.53568°N 0.10361°W | |
The Statue of Hugh Myddelton stands in Islington Green, London, England. This statue honors Hugh Myddelton (1560–1631). It is placed near where the New River used to end. Myddelton played a very important part in building this river.
Contents
About the Hugh Myddelton Statue
This statue is a tribute to a man who helped bring fresh water to London. It reminds people of a big engineering project from a long time ago. The statue is a local landmark in Islington.
Who Was Hugh Myddelton?
Hugh Myddelton was a Welsh businessman and engineer. He lived a long time ago, in the 16th and 17th centuries. He is most famous for creating the New River. This project was a huge deal for London.
The New River Project
London needed more fresh water as it grew bigger. The New River was an artificial waterway. It was built to bring clean drinking water from Hertfordshire to London. This was a massive construction job for its time. It greatly improved life for many Londoners.
Creating the Statue
The famous sculptor John Thomas was chosen to make the statue. He worked on it in the 1860s. Sadly, Thomas passed away in 1862, the same year the statue was finished.
Unveiling the Statue
The statue was officially revealed in 1862. A very important person, William Gladstone, did the honors. He was the Chancellor of the Exchequer at the time. This means he was a top government official in charge of the country's money.
Who Paid for It?
Several groups helped pay for the statue.
- Sir Samuel Morton Peto was a Member of Parliament (MP). An MP is a person elected to represent an area in government. Peto represented the area of Finsbury.
- The New River Company also contributed. This company owned a lot of land in the area.
- The local government also helped fund the statue.
What the Statue Looks Like
The statue itself is made from a beautiful white stone. This stone is called Sicilian marble. It sits on a strong base made of granite. The statue shows Hugh Myddelton standing proudly.
Remembering Myddelton Today
People still remember Hugh Myddelton's work. On September 29, 2013, a special event happened. Groups like the Welsh Mines Preservation Trust and New River Action Group laid a wreath at the statue. This was to celebrate 400 years since the New River first opened. It shows how important his work still is.
