Statue

Queen Victoria statue - Croydon

Erection date: 1903

Inscription

{On a bronze plaque on the front of the plinth:}
Victoria regina et imperatrix 1837 - 1901
{The foliage around the text includes roses, thistles and clover leaves.}
{On the base of the statue:}
F. J. Williamson, Sc. Esher, 1903.

Site: Whitgift and others (17 memorials)

CR9, Katharine Street, Croydon Public Library

Built in 1892 by Charles Henman Jr. this heavily decorated group of buildings makes up Croydon's Municipal buildings complex. The building and the roundels are covered at Ornamental Passions. Each of the five bays of the frieze carries three portrait roundels. The names, wreathed in either oak or laurel leaves, are given along the tops of the windows just below the pediments, listed here left to right. Ornamental Passions assumes they are all the work of Edwin Roscoe Mullins who did other work on this part of the building.

You would have thought that by 1892 the spelling of Shakespeare would have been sorted out. But this is not the first time we have seen it as "Shakespere" on buildings around this date. Perhaps it was a nod to the fashion for historical romanticism. Of course, in the 16th century, spelling had not settled down, to the extent that Shakespeare himself was inconsistent. His marriage certificate (necessary because at 18 he was under-age) has his name spelt as Shagspeare, accidentally, we are sure.

Archbishop Tillotson takes pride of place at the centre of these portraits. He was born almost 30 years after Whitgift's death and, like Whitgift, became Archbishop of Canterbury. Other than that we can find no reason for his honoured presence here.

Improbably, "Croydon" derives from the Anglo Saxon for "Crocus Valley" (ref: The Londonist)

Comments are provided by Facebook, please ensure you are signed in here to see them

This section lists the subjects commemorated on the memorial on this page:
Queen Victoria statue - Croydon

Subjects commemorated i

Queen Victoria

Reigned: 1837-1901, 64 years. Born Kensington Palace. Daughter of Edward, Duk...

Read More

This section lists the subjects who helped to create/erect the memorial on this page:
Queen Victoria statue - Croydon

Created by i

Francis John Williamson

Sculptor. Born Hampstead. Spent much of his life in Esher with Grapes House ...

Read More

This section lists the other memorials at the same location as the memorial on this page:
Queen Victoria statue - Croydon

Also at this site i

Nearby Memorials

Chinese Polo Players

Chinese Polo Players

E16, Dockside Road

{On a nearby ornamental base:} 2012 London Polo. By Huang Jian, China China is the birthplace of ancient polo which was popular among roy...

2 subjects commemorated, 1 creator
Nell Gwynn statue

Nell Gwynn statue

SW3, Sloane Avenue, Nell Gwynn House

We have failed to garner any information on this statue and the relief panels. The nearest connection we can find with Nell is a traditi...

1 subject commemorated
F. D. Roosevelt statue - small

F. D. Roosevelt statue - small

SL4, Windsor Road, Fairhaven Memorial Lodges

This little statue greets you as you enter the cafe, the building on the left of our photo. If it looks familiar you have seen its much ...

1 subject commemorated, 1 creator
Sir John Cass Foundation, Aldgate - Charity girl

Sir John Cass Foundation, Aldgate - Charity girl

EC3, Aldgate, Primary School

This building now houses the Junior school of the Foundation established by Sir John Cass. Previously the Sir John Cass's Foundation Prim...

1 subject commemorated
Mick Jagger statue

Mick Jagger statue

DA1, Lowfield Street, 1 - 3, One Bell Corner

Jagger is on the left and Richards on the right. The statue is entitled The Glimmer Twins, a nick-name/pseudonym Jagger and Richards adop...

1 subject commemorated, 3 creators

Previously viewed

London Bridge alcove at Guy's Hospital

London Bridge alcove at Guy's Hospital

SE1, Great Maze Pond, Guy's Hospital - the Colonnade

{On a nearby modern plaque:} The London Bridge niche. Portland stone. The stone niche was purchased by Guy's Hospital for 10 guineas and ...

1 subject commemorated, 2 creators
Crosskey's Inn

Crosskey's Inn

In the late 1500s plays were performed in the inn-yard. The Inn was destroyed in the Great Fire.

Building, Commerce, Food & Drink, Theatre

1 memorial
St Mary's War Memorial

St Mary's War Memorial

NW1, Eversholt Street, St Mary's, Somers Town

The lettering is, unusually, made up of dots, pierced in the stone.

2 subjects commemorated
Peter Sellers

Peter Sellers

N6, Muswell Hill Road, 10

This was the first plaque erected by the Dead Comics Society. From BCS: "A modest profit was made and funds given to St Aloysius' College...

1 subject commemorated, 1 creator