[The following passage from the Chambers 1838 Gazetteer of Scotland appears on page 479. — George P. Landow.]
Monument of William III. — The most conspicuous monument erected to commemorate a particular individual in Glasgow, is that of William III. It is etpiestrian, and formed of metal, and is placed on a pedestal in an excellent situation in front of the Tontine Buildings at the Cross. Underneath is a panegyrical Latin inscription. This handsome statue, which dignifies the thoroughfare, was presented to the town in 1735, by James Macrae, a citizen of Glasgow, and late governor of the presidency of Bombay.
Nelson’s Monument. — The citizens of Glasgow were the first in the country to erect a monument to the memory of Lord Nelson. Immediately after his fall at Trafalgar, a subscription was entered into, which soon amounted to L.2075, and with this sum an obelisk of freestone of good proportions was erected at the west end of the Green, August 1, 1806. On the 5ih of August 1810, the upper part of the structure was completely shattered, and the greater part of the shaft rent, during a violent storm of thunder and lightning. The damage has been repaired.
Sir John Moore's Monument. — Glasgow has the honour of having produced, among other men of distinction, Sir John Moore, who was born here in a house called Donald's Land, north side of the Trongate, a little east from Candierigg Street. Being justly proud of this brave but unfortunate soldier, on his fall in 1809, a subscription was entered into, which realizing £.4000, a handsome statue by Flaxman was forthwith erected in a good situation in George's Square.
John Knox's Monument. — On the high bank east from the cathedra], a colossal statue in stone, to the memory of John Knox, was erected by subscription in 1825, after a design by Mr. Thomas Hamilton of Edinburgh; the statue being the production of Mr. R. Forrest, a Lanarkshire artist. The Rev. Dr. Macgill, Professor of Theology in the College of Glasgow, was the prime mover of this worthy tribute to one of the greatest men Scotland ever produced.
Besides the above, there are some statues in Glasgow commemorative of particular indidividuals; among the rest, one of Pitt, a full length statue in marble, by Flaxman, in the Town Hall. It was erected in 1812.
Other Public Monuments in Glasgow
Bibliography
Chambers, Robert. The Gazetterr of Scotland. Glasgow: Blackie and Son, 1838. Internet Archive online version digitized with funding from National Library of Scotland. Web. 30 September 2018.
Last modified 30 September 2018