Statue: Holborn Viaduct - Walworth
Erection date: 1868
{On a granite plaque below the statue:}
Sir William Walworth, Mayor 1374 to 1375 and 1380 to 1381.
The sword he sports represents the one which removed Tyler's head, the original of which (the sword, not the head) is on display at the Fishmongers' Company.
Site: Holborn Viaduct - Walworth (1 memorial)
EC4, Holborn Viaduct
Holborn Viaduct, built across the Fleet valley to connect Holborn with Newgate Street, was opened by Queen Victoria on 6 November 1869. The development included buildings, or pavilions, designed by William Haywood, at each corner, each housing a flight of steps linking Holborn Viaduct with Farringdon Street below and displaying a statue on the first floor facade. The firm Farmer & Brindley produced much of the sculpture, but not the statues.
On the bridge itself are four bronze statues, of scantily dressed women representing Fine Arts, Science, Agriculture and Commerce.
Holborn Viaduct is watched over by four memorial statues:
north-west corner - Walworth (rebuilt c.2001)
south-west corner - Fitz Eylwin
south-east corner - Gresham
north-east corner - Myddelton (rebuilt c.2014)
The sculptor of all 4 statues and Commerce and Agriculture was Henry Bursill. For more info on the Viaduct see Patrick Baty.
A London Inheritance have a photo to show that this pavilion is a replica of the original which was badly damaged in WW2. The first reconstruction of this corner had a massive Atlantic House covering the whole site but in 2001 that was replaced with this, at least equally massive, building but with this recreation of the pavilion on the corner.
Engineering Tmelines has a full history of the Viaduct. Ian Visits has photographed the 4 stairwells.
