Statue of James Outram, London facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Statue of James Outram |
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The statue in 2015
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| Artist | Matthew Noble |
| Year | 1871 |
| Type | Sculpture |
| Medium | Bronze |
| Location | London, WC2 United Kingdom |
| 51°30′23″N 0°07′23″W / 51.50630°N 0.12309°W | |
The statue of James Outram is a famous sculpture in London. It was created by the artist Matthew Noble. You can find this statue in Whitehall Gardens, which is just south of the Hungerford Bridge. This statue is considered a Grade II listed structure, meaning it's an important historical building or monument.
Contents
Why Was the Statue Built?
It's quite unusual, but the idea to build a statue for James Outram started while he was still alive! A public meeting was held in London on March 5, 1861, to discuss this.
Honoring a Hero
James Outram was a general who had just returned to Britain from India. He had spent most of his military career there, but his health was not good. People wanted to honor him for his service.
Two Statues Planned
At the meeting, it was decided to create two statues:
- One would be a statue of Outram on horseback in Calcutta (now Kolkata), India. J. H. Foley was chosen as the sculptor for this one.
- The other would be a standing statue in London, created by Matthew Noble.
Finding the Right Spot
The original plan was to place the London statue near the statue of his friend, Sir Henry Havelock, in Trafalgar Square. However, the government official in charge of public works said no to this location. Instead, a spot was offered in the new Embankment Gardens, which were still being built.
Unveiling the Statue
The statue was finally revealed to the public on August 17, 1871. Lord Halifax, who used to be a very important government official for India, officially unveiled it.
What the Statue Looks Like
The statue itself is made of bronze. It stands proudly on a strong base made of granite.
