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Statue of the Duke of Devonshire, Whitehall facts for kids

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Statue of the Duke of Devonshire
Statue of the Duke of Devonshire in Whitehall (cropped).jpg
The statue in 2011
Artist Herbert Hampton
Year 1911 (1911)
Medium Bronze
Subject Duke of Devonshire
Dimensions 4 m (13 ft)
Designation Grade II-listed
Location Whitehall, London
Coordinates 51°30′17″N 0°07′34″W / 51.5048°N 0.1262°W / 51.5048; -0.1262

The Statue of the Duke of Devonshire is a cool bronze statue in London, England. It shows Spencer Cavendish, 8th Duke of Devonshire. He was an important leader in British politics a long time ago. The statue was made by Herbert Hampton and first shown in 1911. You can find it near Horse Guards Avenue in Whitehall. This statue is also a Grade II-listed building, which means it's a special historical landmark.

About the Statue

What the Statue Looks Like

The statue is quite tall, standing about 4 metres (13 feet) high. It sits on a base, called a plinth, which is even taller, around 5 metres (16 feet) high.

On the plinth, you can read important details about the Duke. It tells you his full name, his special title, and some awards he received. One award mentioned is "KG," which stands for Knight of the Garter. This is a very old and important honour in England. The Duke is shown wearing the special robes that go with this award. The plinth also shows the years he was born and when he passed away.

Who Was the Duke?

The statue honours Spencer Cavendish, 8th Duke of Devonshire. He was a very important person in British politics. From 1875 to 1903, he was a leader for three different political groups. This means he helped guide the country's decisions for many years.

How the Statue Was Made

Getting Permission

To put a statue in a public place like Whitehall, you need special permission. A group led by the Marquess of Lansdowne worked to get this permission. They also made sure the design by sculptor Herbert Hampton was approved.

King Edward VII himself approved the design in 1909. The sculptor finished making the statue the next year.

The Unveiling Day

Once the statue was ready, it was officially shown to the public. The Marquess of Lansdowne had the honour of unveiling the statue. This special event happened on 11 February 1911.

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