Public Monument and Sculpture Association National Recording Project

JOHN BENJAMIN SMITH

Region ID

MR

Work ID

183

Manual Reference

MR/MTH30

Type

Other

Title

JOHN BENJAMIN SMITH

Sculptor

Adams Acton, John

Date of design

Year of unveiling

1882

Unveiling details

2 August 1882

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

Edwin Lawrence

Notes

marble bust on square green marble pedestal

This bust of John Benjamin Smith was given to the council by Edwin Lawrence in 1882. Lawrence, Smith's son-in-law, had contacted the council in 1880 to determine that they would accept a bust indicating that he expected Adams-Acton to have completed the bust by the following year. It was presented to the council in August 1882. [Proceedings of Manchester City Council, 2 August 1882 p.226]

John Benjamin Smith was a Manchester cotton merchant who had been a prominent figure in the Anti-Corn Law League. He swerved as Liberal MP for Stockport from 1852-1874. He died in September 1879.

circa

raw year

1882

Condition

Good

At risk

No known risk

Inscriptions

Inscription reads: JOHN BENJAMIN SMITH/ FIRST PRESIDENT OF THE ANTI-CORN LAW LEAGUE / BORN 7. FEBRUARY 1794,/ DIED 15. SEPTEMBER 1879.

Signatures

Elements

Element Details

Part of work

Material

Dimensions

Bust

Marble

85cm high

Pedestal

Marble

123cm high

Assessment of Condition

Surface Character

Detail

Comment

No damage

Structural Condition

Structural Condition

Comment

None

Vandalism

Vandalism

Comment

None