Statue of Robert Peel, Parliament Square facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Robert Peel |
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The statue in 2015
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| Artist | Matthew Noble |
| Year | 1876 |
| Type | Statue |
| Medium | Bronze |
| Subject | Robert Peel |
| Location | London, SW1 United Kingdom |
| 51°30′02″N 0°07′38″W / 51.5005°N 0.1273°W | |
The statue of Robert Peel is a famous bronze sculpture in Parliament Square, London. It shows Sir Robert Peel, who was once the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. A Prime Minister is the main leader of the government. The statue was made by an artist named Matthew Noble. It was one of the very first statues placed in Parliament Square.
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What Does the Statue Look Like?
The statue of Sir Robert Peel was created by the sculptor Matthew Noble. It stands in Parliament Square, facing Great George Street. You can find it in the south-west part of the square.
The statue is made of bronze, which is a type of metal. It stands on a base made of granite stone. This statue is also a Grade II listed monument. This means it is an important historical building or structure that is protected.
How the Statue Was Made
In 1871, people decided to put up three new statues in Parliament Square. These statues would honor important leaders. The leaders chosen were Sir Robert Peel, Edward Smith-Stanley, 14th Earl of Derby, and Henry John Temple, 3rd Viscount Palmerston.
Officials looked at the gardens in Parliament Square. They found that the square could hold up to 18 statues in total. The idea was to build all the stone bases first. Then, the statues would be added as they were finished.
Building the Statue
The statue of Sir Robert Peel was the last work finished by Matthew Noble. Sadly, he passed away on June 23, 1876. The statue itself was cast, or shaped, from bronze in September 1876. This happened at a place called Cox and Son's foundry in Thames Ditton.
The granite base for the statue was already ready at Parliament Square. People hoped the statue would be in place by the end of that year.
Unveiling the Statue
The statue was put in place in December 1876. There was no big ceremony to show it to the public. This was because the committee in charge asked for a quiet placement.
It was the third statue to be placed in Parliament Square. After Robert Peel's statue was added, people thought it was a good idea. They decided to add more statues of important leaders there. This was because the square is right next to the Houses of Parliament. The Houses of Parliament is where the UK government makes its laws.
Recent Events
In June 2020, the statue was marked during some protests. A request was made to have it taken down. This was because Robert Peel helped create the Metropolitan Police Service. The Metropolitan Police is the main police force for London. However, the statue was not removed and remains in Parliament Square today.
