Statues - Hither & Thither

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Liverpool
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St John's Gardens (L1)

William Rathbone VI

Liverpool 1819 - Liverpool 1902
English merchant and businessman noted for his philanthropic and public work
(Wikipedia)

sir George Frampton
1901

Description

Statue of William Rathbone VI in university gown making a speech.
There are four panels in relief around the base of the statue. The one on the front shows Rathbone's name and function; this is placed after Rathbone's death in 1902. The original green marble plate just had his name. The others show charity, industry, and education (London Echo, and other 1901 papers) or the nursing of the sick poor in their own homes (right), charitable work amongst the poor (rear); and education (left) (Cavanagh). Frampton also designed the pedestal, complete. Unveiled by the Mayor of Liverpool on 26 July 1901.

Liverpool - William Rathbone VI
Nursing of the sick poor in their own homes: A sick woman, and two nurses, one of these holds a baby.

Charitable work amongst the poor (Industry?): A family scene of a couple with an infant.
Education: Two Greek philosophers debating.

NB: In Sefton Park is a statue of his father, William Rathbone V.

Inscription(s)

WILLIAM RATHBONE.
born 1819. died 1902.

honorary freeman of the city of
LIVERPOOL.

member of parliament for liverpool
1869 to 1880 and for carnarvonshire
1880 to 1895.

a gvardian of the poor in liverpool
for thirty-five years.

a fovnder of the vniversity of liverpool
and of the vniversity of wales.

institvted the training school for
nvrses and brovght trained nvrses into
the homes of the poor and svffering first
in liverpool and later throvghovt the
covntry.

erected by the citizens of liverpool.

having faith in god he could
never despair of men. seeing the best in others he
drew from them their best he deemed the fear of obstacles
the greatest obstacle. he helped the poor by giving
his heart with his help.

Signature

george frampton 1899
(Relief right) G F 1900 (and rear) G F

St John's Gardens

The spot of the St John the Baptist church - demolished in 1898 - at it's cemetery - full in 1854 - was redeveloped and opened in 1904 as 'St John's Ornamental and Memorial Gardens'. The gardens were designed by the corporation surveyor Thomas Shelmerdine. In addition to the creation of flower beds, the gardens contain an assemblage of six statues of great men connected with Liverpool and the King's Liverpool Regiment monument.

In chronological order:

Alexander Balfour, by Albert Bruce-Joy, 1889.*
William Rathbone VI, by George Frampton, 1901.
Sir Arthur Bower Forwood, by George Frampton, 1903.
William Gladstone, by Thomas Brock, 1904.
The King's Liverpool Regiment Monument, by W. Goscombe John, 1905.
James Nugent, by Frederick Pomeroy, 1906.
T. Major Lester, by George Frampton, 1907.
RoadPeace Monument, by Tom Murphy, 2005.

* The Balfour statue was erected before the replanning of the area, it was later moved eastwards to its present location.

Sculptor

Sir George James Frampton, RA (London 1860-1928), British sculptor (Wikipedia).

Sources & Information

Wikipedia, List of public art in Liverpool.
Terry Cavanagh, Public Sculpture of Liverpool. Liverpool University Press, 1997, p. 171-173.
Echo (London), 27 July 1901 (British Newspaper Archive).
The Victorian Web, Liverpool Architecture and Cityscapes.
Bob Speel, Statues in St John's Gardens, Liverpool.

Locatie (N 53°24'32" - W 2°58'49") (Satellite view: Google Maps)

Item Code: gbnw080; Photograph: 18 June 2023
Of each statue we made photos from various angles and also detail photos of the various texts.
If you want to use photos, please contact us via the contact form (in Dutch, English or German).
© Website and photos: René & Peter van der Krogt

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Nursing of the sick poor in their own homes: A sick woman, and two nurses, one of these holds a baby.
Charitable work amongst the poor (Industry?): A family scene of a couple with an infant.	Education: Two Greek philosophers debating.