Statues - Hither & Thither

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Lichfield
Staffordshire
West Midlands

Market Square

Samuel Johnson

Lichfield 1709 - London 1784
English writer who made lasting contributions to English literature as a poet, essayist, moralist, literary critic, biographer, editor and lexicographer
(Wikipedia)

Richard Lucas
1838

Description

Stone statue of Samuel Johnson, wearing academic robes. He leans slightly forward in an attitude of deep thought - the right hand supports the head, and the left hand rests upon an open scroll. He sits on a Greek Revival chair with books stacked underneath it.
On the pedestal are shown in relief three incidents in Johnson's life:

listening to dr. sacheverel preaching. - Seated on his father's shoulders, listening to Dr. Henry Sacheverell (1674-1724, Wikipedia) preaching in Lichfield Cathedral
thus he was borne from | school. - Borne to school on the shoulders of his companions;
his penance in uttoxeter market. - Standing bareheaded in Uttoxeter Market-Place as a penance for disobedience to his father.

Inscription(s)

JOHNSON

THIS STATUE
was presented to the
citizens of lichfield
BY
JAMES THO^s LAW
chancellor of the dioceses
AUGUST 1838

—

to commemorate the 200th anniversary
of the death of Dr. SAMUEL JOHNSON

"Every man has a lurking wish to appear
considerable in his native place"

The Johnson Society 13. December 1984

Artist

Richard Cockle Lucas (Salisbury 1800 - Chilword, Hampshire 1883), English sculptor and photographer (Wikipedia).

Sources & Information

Public Monuments and Sculpture Association, National Recording Project Database.
Notes and Queries 2 Sept. 1911.

Location (N 52°41'1" - W 1°49'39") (Satellite view: Google Maps)

Item Code: gbwm022; Photograph: 7 June 2014
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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