“William Shaen” by Thomas Woolner

[Victorian Web Home —> Visual Arts —> Sculpture —> Thomas Woolner —> Next]

William Shaen (1821-1887)

Thomas Woolner (1825-1892)

1861

White marble, with a black marble plinth

H 65; plinth: H 4.8 x W 23 x D 36.7 cm.

Collection: Senate House, University of London, accession no. SC-0010

Shaen studied classics at University College London, and then law at Edinburgh University. In a brief "sketch" of his life, his daughter Margaret Shaen explains that he was presented with the bust when he retired as Secretary to the Metropolitan and Provincial Law Association, "which he had, in fact, been largely instrumental in founding" (3). [Commentary continues below; mouse over the text for links].

William Shaen actively promoted numerous good causes, particularly but not only in connection with the university — from the efforts of its graduates to "secure a permanent building for the University, the right of returning a member to Parliament, and a share in the government of the institution" (Shaen 7) to degrees for women, especially through his important role in establishing Bedford College. So it is highly appropriate that he should be remembered in Senate House.

But Shaen's energies were deployed in many other areas of public life. He took the part of all those who were denied opportunities, for instance, he was, from its inception, on the board of management of the Royal Normal School for the Blind, and fought also for higher education for the blind. Outside the field of education, he committed himself wholeheartedly to "one movement after another affecting those who were suffering under different forms of social or legal oppression" (Shaen 21). At home, he took up causes ranging from anti-vivisection to Women's Suffrage. Far from confining himself to local issues, he was a good friend of Mazzini, and strongly supported Italian reunification: he was known as “L’angelo salvatore" by Italian refugees (Shaen 12). He also put his full weight behind the anti-slavery movement in America, the Aborigines Protection Society, and so on.

As an example of his professional roles, he acted on behalf of the Committee prosecuting Governor Eyre for the way he dealt with the Morant Bay uprising in Jamaica, declaring that "martial law forms no part of the law of England" (22).

It seems a shame that such a figure is not better remembered and more widely celebrated now.

Related Material

Photograph by Tim Willasey-Wilsey (background digitally removed), measurements from Art UK, and text by Jacqueline Banerjee. [You may use this image without prior permission for any scholarly or educational purpose as long as you (1) credit the photographer and (2) link your document to this URL in a web document or cite the Victorian Web in a print one.]

Bibliography

Shaen, M.J. William Shaen: A Brief Sketch. London: Longmans, Green, 1912. Internet Archive. Web. 30 October 2026.

William Shaen (1821-1887). Art UK. Web. 30 October 2026.

Created 30 October 2026