Statue of Winston Churchill, Parliament Square
Encyclopedia
The statue of Winston Churchill in Parliament Square
, London, is a bronze sculpture of former Prime Minister
Sir Winston Churchill
created by Ivor Roberts-Jones
. It is located in a spot referred to in the 1950s by Churchill as "where my statue will go". Unveiled by his widow Lady Clementine Spencer-Churchill
in 1973, the unveiling was attended by the serving Prime Minister and four former Prime Ministers, while Queen Elizabeth II gave a speech. In recent years, the statue has been defaced on several occasions during protests and riots in Parliament Square.
, and is located opposite the Houses of Parliament in Parliament Square
, London. It shows Winston Churchill
standing with his hand resting on his walking stick, while he wears a military greatcoat
. The plinth is 8 feet (2.4 m) high with "Churchill" inscribed on it in large letters. A proposal to insert pins standing out of the statue's head was turned down in the 1970s – the pins were intended to stop wild birds from sitting on its head.
The Churchill Statue Committee had concerns during the statue's development process that it looked "a little too much" like Italian Fascist
leader Benito Mussolini
. Whilst the head was still only cast in plaster, a report on it stated that, "At the moment the head is undoubtedly like Churchill, but perhaps not quite right of him at the pinnacle of his career. The cheeks, the eyes, the forehead and the top of the head require improvement. I told Mr Roberts-Jones that above the eyes I thought I was looking at Mussolini." Roberts-Jones agreed to modify the head to reduce the dome of the head in order to lower the forehead.
, then Minister of Works, showed Churchill plans for the redevelopment of Parliament Square
. Winston drew a circle in the north east corner and announced "That is where my statue will go." The statue that was eventually installed was first suggested by Sir John Tilney
, MP for Liverpool Wavertree, in a parliamentary question in 1968. Initial estimates by the sponsors of the Winston Churchill Statue Appeal placed the cost of the statue at £30,000. The sponsors of the appeal included Edward Heath
, Lord Mountbatten
, Lord Portal
, and Baroness Elliot. The sum of £32,000 was raised towards the statue by 4,500 individuals which are listed in a book which was deposited into the library at Chartwell
on Churchill's birthday, 30 November 1973.
The statue was unveiled on 1 November 1973 by Lady Clementine Spencer-Churchill
, Winston Churchill's widow. Queen Elizabeth II had declined to unveil the statue herself, indicating that she thought it was right that Lady Spencer-Churchill should do it, although she attended and gave a speech discussing how he had turned down a dukedom
as he wanted to spend his remaining years in the House of Commons. Union Jacks covered the statue, which were pulled off as the cord was pulled. Other attendees at the unveiling included Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother, members of the Churchill family across four generations, Edward Heath (the then Prime Minister), and four other former Prime Ministers. The Brass Band of the Royal Marines
played several of Churchill's favourite pieces of music.
In 2008, the statue was grade II listed. The statue has been defaced on a number of occasions during protests held in Parliament Square. In 2000, at the May Day Protests the statue was sprayed with red paint to give it the appearance of blood dripping from its mouth, and a strip of grass was placed on top of the head of the statue giving it the appearance of having a mohican
. During the 2010 student protest in London, the statue was defaced with graffiti and urinated upon.
Parliament Square
Parliament Square is a square outside the northwest end of the Palace of Westminster in London. It features a large open green area in the middle, with a group of trees to its west. It contains statues of famous statesmen and is the scene of rallies and protests, as well as being a tourist...
, London, is a bronze sculpture of former Prime Minister
Prime Minister of the United Kingdom
The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is the Head of Her Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom. The Prime Minister and Cabinet are collectively accountable for their policies and actions to the Sovereign, to Parliament, to their political party and...
Sir Winston Churchill
Winston Churchill
Sir Winston Leonard Spencer-Churchill, was a predominantly Conservative British politician and statesman known for his leadership of the United Kingdom during the Second World War. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest wartime leaders of the century and served as Prime Minister twice...
created by Ivor Roberts-Jones
Ivor Roberts-Jones
Ivor Roberts-Jones, RA was a British sculptor. He is best known for his sculpted heads of notable people such as Yehudi Menuhin and George Thomas, Viscount Tonypandy....
. It is located in a spot referred to in the 1950s by Churchill as "where my statue will go". Unveiled by his widow Lady Clementine Spencer-Churchill
Clementine Churchill, Baroness Spencer-Churchill
Clementine Ogilvy Spencer-Churchill, Baroness Spencer-Churchill, GBE, CStJ was the wife of Sir Winston Churchill and a life peeress in her own right.-Early life:...
in 1973, the unveiling was attended by the serving Prime Minister and four former Prime Ministers, while Queen Elizabeth II gave a speech. In recent years, the statue has been defaced on several occasions during protests and riots in Parliament Square.
Description
The statue is 12 feet (3.7 m) high and is made of bronze. It was sculpted by Ivor Roberts-JonesIvor Roberts-Jones
Ivor Roberts-Jones, RA was a British sculptor. He is best known for his sculpted heads of notable people such as Yehudi Menuhin and George Thomas, Viscount Tonypandy....
, and is located opposite the Houses of Parliament in Parliament Square
Parliament Square
Parliament Square is a square outside the northwest end of the Palace of Westminster in London. It features a large open green area in the middle, with a group of trees to its west. It contains statues of famous statesmen and is the scene of rallies and protests, as well as being a tourist...
, London. It shows Winston Churchill
Winston Churchill
Sir Winston Leonard Spencer-Churchill, was a predominantly Conservative British politician and statesman known for his leadership of the United Kingdom during the Second World War. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest wartime leaders of the century and served as Prime Minister twice...
standing with his hand resting on his walking stick, while he wears a military greatcoat
Greatcoat
A greatcoat, also known as a watchcoat, is a large overcoat typically made of wool designed for warmth and protection against the weather. Its collar and cuffs can be turned out to protect the face and hands from cold and rain, and the short cape around the shoulders provides extra warmth and...
. The plinth is 8 feet (2.4 m) high with "Churchill" inscribed on it in large letters. A proposal to insert pins standing out of the statue's head was turned down in the 1970s – the pins were intended to stop wild birds from sitting on its head.
The Churchill Statue Committee had concerns during the statue's development process that it looked "a little too much" like Italian Fascist
National Fascist Party
The National Fascist Party was an Italian political party, created by Benito Mussolini as the political expression of fascism...
leader Benito Mussolini
Benito Mussolini
Benito Amilcare Andrea Mussolini was an Italian politician who led the National Fascist Party and is credited with being one of the key figures in the creation of Fascism....
. Whilst the head was still only cast in plaster, a report on it stated that, "At the moment the head is undoubtedly like Churchill, but perhaps not quite right of him at the pinnacle of his career. The cheeks, the eyes, the forehead and the top of the head require improvement. I told Mr Roberts-Jones that above the eyes I thought I was looking at Mussolini." Roberts-Jones agreed to modify the head to reduce the dome of the head in order to lower the forehead.
History
In the 1950s, Sir David EcclesDavid Eccles, 1st Viscount Eccles
David McAdam Eccles, 1st Baron Eccles and 1st Viscount Eccles, CH, KCVO, MP, PC was an English Conservative politician....
, then Minister of Works, showed Churchill plans for the redevelopment of Parliament Square
Parliament Square
Parliament Square is a square outside the northwest end of the Palace of Westminster in London. It features a large open green area in the middle, with a group of trees to its west. It contains statues of famous statesmen and is the scene of rallies and protests, as well as being a tourist...
. Winston drew a circle in the north east corner and announced "That is where my statue will go." The statue that was eventually installed was first suggested by Sir John Tilney
John Tilney
Sir John Dudley Robert Tarleton Tilney, TD was the great grandson of the founder of RJ Tilney & Co.John Tilney was educated at Eton College. He was persuaded by John Brocklebank, the co-head of RJ Tilney & Co to begin with the firm in October 1928 before he had finished his degree course at...
, MP for Liverpool Wavertree, in a parliamentary question in 1968. Initial estimates by the sponsors of the Winston Churchill Statue Appeal placed the cost of the statue at £30,000. The sponsors of the appeal included Edward Heath
Edward Heath
Sir Edward Richard George "Ted" Heath, KG, MBE, PC was a British Conservative politician who served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and as Leader of the Conservative Party ....
, Lord Mountbatten
Louis Mountbatten, 1st Earl Mountbatten of Burma
Admiral of the Fleet Louis Francis Albert Victor Nicholas George Mountbatten, 1st Earl Mountbatten of Burma, KG, GCB, OM, GCSI, GCIE, GCVO, DSO, PC, FRS , was a British statesman and naval officer, and an uncle of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh...
, Lord Portal
Charles Portal, 1st Viscount Portal of Hungerford
Marshal of the Royal Air Force Charles Frederick Algernon Portal, 1st Viscount Portal of Hungerford KG GCB OM DSO & Bar MC was a senior Royal Air Force officer and an advocate of strategic bombing...
, and Baroness Elliot. The sum of £32,000 was raised towards the statue by 4,500 individuals which are listed in a book which was deposited into the library at Chartwell
Chartwell
Chartwell was the principal adult home of Sir Winston Churchill. Churchill and his wife Clementine bought the property, located two miles south of Westerham, Kent, England, in 1922...
on Churchill's birthday, 30 November 1973.
The statue was unveiled on 1 November 1973 by Lady Clementine Spencer-Churchill
Clementine Churchill, Baroness Spencer-Churchill
Clementine Ogilvy Spencer-Churchill, Baroness Spencer-Churchill, GBE, CStJ was the wife of Sir Winston Churchill and a life peeress in her own right.-Early life:...
, Winston Churchill's widow. Queen Elizabeth II had declined to unveil the statue herself, indicating that she thought it was right that Lady Spencer-Churchill should do it, although she attended and gave a speech discussing how he had turned down a dukedom
Duke
A duke or duchess is a member of the nobility, historically of highest rank below the monarch, and historically controlling a duchy...
as he wanted to spend his remaining years in the House of Commons. Union Jacks covered the statue, which were pulled off as the cord was pulled. Other attendees at the unveiling included Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother, members of the Churchill family across four generations, Edward Heath (the then Prime Minister), and four other former Prime Ministers. The Brass Band of the Royal Marines
Royal Marines Band Service
The Royal Marines Band Service is the musical wing of the Royal Navy. It currently consists of five Bands and its headquarters is the Royal Marines School of Music at HMS Nelson in Portsmouth dockyard.-History:...
played several of Churchill's favourite pieces of music.
In 2008, the statue was grade II listed. The statue has been defaced on a number of occasions during protests held in Parliament Square. In 2000, at the May Day Protests the statue was sprayed with red paint to give it the appearance of blood dripping from its mouth, and a strip of grass was placed on top of the head of the statue giving it the appearance of having a mohican
Mohawk hairstyle
The mohawk is a hairstyle in which, in the most common variety, both sides of the head are shaven, leaving a strip of noticeably longer hair...
. During the 2010 student protest in London, the statue was defaced with graffiti and urinated upon.