John Cory by Goscombe John

John Cory (1828-1910)

Sir William Goscombe John, 1860-1952

1905-06

Bronze on Portland stone

Gorsedd Gardens, Cardiff, Wales

  • Detail of statue

    • Cory was born in Devon, but grew up in Cardiff after his father moved to the docks there to take advantage of the shipping trade. As a young man, he joined his father in shipbroking, coal-exporting and so on, eventually becoming Chairman of the Board of Directors of Cory Brothers, colliery proprietors. Up until 1914, Cory Brothers were probably "the largest private railway-wagon owners in Britain" (Williams). But Cory was also an Evangelical and an immensely generous philanthropist. He supported many causes, including Temperance and the Salvation Army, leaving his largest bequest to the latter. Goscombe John shows him with his hat doffed and a Bible in his hand. Like other public works by this sculptor, this one draws out the character of the man with feeling as well as aplomb.

    Photograph (2009) and text (2011) by Jacqueline Banerjee.

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