Public Monument and Sculpture Association National Recording Project

SIR ROWLAND HILL

Region ID

MR

Work ID

178

Manual Reference

MR/MTH25

Type

Other

Title

SIR ROWLAND HILL

Sculptor

Theed, William

Date of design

Year of unveiling

1881

Unveiling details

6 July 1881

Road

Albert Square

Precise Location

Sculpture Hall

A to Z Ref

p.158 F1

OS Ref

SJ835980

Postcode

Work is

Extant

Listing Status

Not listed

Duty of Care

Manchester City Council

Commissioned by

Sir Rowland Hill Memorial Committee

Notes

marble bust on square red marble pedestal

Following the death of Sir Rowland Hill in 1879, Manchester was one of a number of communities that decided to pay tribute to the man who was acknowledged as the founder of the ‘Penny Post', even though he had no direct connection with the city. As a young man, Hill had been a leading figure in the Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge. Full length statues were raised in London and his native town, Kidderminster. A Manchester Sir Rowland Hill Memorial Committee was set up and subscriptions invited. The committee decided on a portrait bust which was commissioned from William Theed. The bust was presented by Alderman Henry Patteson on behalf of the committee to the council in July 1881.(1) (2)

Sir Rowland Hill, promoter and organiser of of the Penny Post

circa

raw year

1881

Condition

Good

At risk

Not at risk

Inscriptions

marble bust on square red marble pedestal

Signatures

none visible

Elements

Element Details

Part of work

Material

Dimensions

Bust

Marble

75cm high

Pedestal

Marble

131cm high

Assessment of Condition

Surface Character

Detail

Comment

No damage

Structural Condition

Structural Condition

Comment

None

Vandalism

Vandalism

Comment

None