The late Duke of Devonshire, K.G., by William Goscombe John (1860-1952). 1901 (dated next to the sculptor's signature to the right of the base; unveiled on 17 August that year). Over lifesize: H 150 x W 170 x D 200 cm; plinth: H 250 x W 250 x D 300 cm. Left: Bronze on a stone plinth, in its present location at Devonshire Place, Eastbourne. Right: Plaster, as reported and shown in Academy Architecture and Architectural Review (1901): "Colossal Bronze Statue to be erected at Eastbourne" (plate no. 1735). There was another version too: a full-size bronze casting of the seated figure was acquired in 1907 by the Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge: the Duke had endowed the Cavendish Laboratory in Cambridge, which was named after his relative, the scientist Henry Cavendish (1731-1810). The work was much praised; the museum informs us that it had won a gold medal for the sculptor at the Paris Salon of 1901.
Left: Closer view of the seated figure. Right: The inscription on the front of the stone plinth.
Seen by Susan Beattie as one of the many statues influenced by Alfred Gilbert's seated statue of Queen Victoria at Winchester (213), this shows the Duke in his richly detailed robes as Chancellor of Cambridge University. Despite his relaxed pose, he looks dignified rather than casual, and indeed rather formidable. One hand holds a book by his side, with his thumb and finger holding it slightly open, as if he had just paused in reading it; the other hand rests on the arm of his chair. Like its occupant, the chair itself is stately, and the design of both the chair and the footstool, like that seen in the trimmings of his robes, is ornate. The ubiquity of this elaborate scrollwork adds an Art Nouveau touch to the work.
The inscription tells us that the Duke was not only the Chancellor of Cambridge University, but the Lord Lieutenant of the County of Derby. He was also Mayor of Eastbourne in 1897-98 — which explains why a public subscription was raised for erecting the statue in such a prominent position in this seaside town.
Photographs by Robin Banerjee, and image scan and commentary by Jacqueline Banerjee. [You may use the images without permission as long as you credit the photographer / person who scanned the image, and link your document to this URL in a web document or cite the Victorian Web in a print one. Click on all the images to enlarge them.]
Bibliography
Beattie, Susan. The New Sculpture. New Haven: Yale University Press, 1983.
"The late Duke of Devonshire, K.G. Colossal Bronze Statue to be erected at Eastbourne." Academy Architecture and Architectural Review. Vol. 20. Ed. Alexander Koch. London: Academy Architecture, 1901. Internet Archive. Web. 25 March 2026.
"Seated Statue of William, Seventh Duke of Devonshire, Kg, Pc, Dcl, Frs. (1808/1891) ." Historic England. Web. 25 March 2026.
"William Cavendish (1808–1891), 7th Duke of Devonshire." Art UK. Web. 25 March 2026.
"William Cavendish, Seventh Duke of Devonshire (1808-1891): M.1-1908." Fitzwilliam Museum. Web. 25 March 2026.
Created 28 August 2011
Replaced with new images and text 25 March 2026