Public Monument and Sculpture Association National Recording Project
FRANCIS SHARP POWELL
Region ID | MR | |
Work ID | 43 | |
Manual Reference | MR/WIG06 | |
Title | FRANCIS SHARP POWELL | |
Sculptor | Gillick, Ernest George | |
Date of design | 1907-10 | |
Year of unveiling | 1910 | |
Unveiling details | 4 November 1910 | |
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Work is | Extant | |
Listing Status | II | |
Duty of Care | Wigan MBC | |
Commissioned by | Sir Francis Powell Testimonial Fund | |
Notes | ||
Bronze portrait statue on granite pedestal. Bronze relief panels on each face of pedestal representing Powell's work in education, housing and sanitation. Powell shown in sitting position. Whole on stepped stone base. Originally with free standing piers at each corner connected by chains. | ||
Councillor James O'Donahue recalled at the unveiling that when in office as Mayor, he had been approached by several influential gentleman of Wigan to consider the possibility of calling a town meeting to consider marking Powell's many years of faithful service.(1) At a meeting on the 12 April 1907 organised by the Mayor, it was decided to present a testimonial to Sir Francis on the fiftieth anniversary of his first election as the town's MP. It was suggested that this take the form of a a statue, and a committee "of leading men" was appointed.(2) An open competition was established with William Goscombe John (later to design Wigan's Boer War Memorial) as the judge. On 16 June John reported that he had chosen Gillick's design as it was "a most artistic work, admirably proportioned and full of dignity and repose." By July subscriptions amounting to £753 8s 6d had been promised, with £452 collected.(3) The statue was originally to be sited in the Market Place,(4) but this was rejected in favour of the Mesnes Park site and permission was given by the Parks Committee.(5) At the unveiling and in the presence of Sir Francis, O'Donahue told the crowd that the statue was only the second in Britain to be erected to a living man, and that he hoped it would inspire future generations to emulate the public duties accomplished by Sir Francis.(6) It is local custom to touch the shoe of the statue for luck.(7) | ||
Sir Francis Sharp Powell (1827-1910?), philanthropist and politician, was born in Wigan, the son of a clergyman. He was Conservative MP for Wigan from 1857-? And again 1885-1910. His victory in the 1881 election was contested and the result eventually reversed. He was known for his philanthropic activities, in particular his support of education, Conservatism and housing for the poor in Wigan. He made contributions to denominational schools in Wigan, provided two Conservative Working Men's Clubs and added a Boys Reading Room to the Free Library. In addition, he lent financial support to the Wigan Mining and Technical School. He was given the Freedom of the Borough in 1895. | ||
circa | ||
raw year | 1910 | |
Condition | Fair | |
At risk | No known risk | |
Inscriptions | Inscription on bronze plaque, raised lettering: SIR FRANCIS SHARP POWELL / BARONET. BORN IN WIGAN / 1827. M.P. FOR HIS NATIVE TOWN / 1857-9 AND 1885-1910. ERECTED / BY PUBLIC SUBSCRIPTION 1910. | |
Signatures | Signed on statue and panels: E. G. Gillick 1910 | |
Elements
Element Details
Part of work | Material | Dimensions |
|---|---|---|
Figure | Bronze | 183 cm high |
Pedestal | Polished granite | 117 cm high x 142 cm x 126 cm |
panels | bronze | 104 cm x 39 cm |
Assessment of Condition
Surface Character
Detail | Comment |
|---|---|
Abrasions, cracks, splits | |
Structural Condition
Structural Condition | Comment |
|---|---|
Cracks, splits, breaks, holes | |