Erection date: 1912
{Beneath the statue:}
In memory of William Shakespeare, for several years an inhabitant of this parish, b.1564 d.1616.
A tribute from English and American admirers of the poet whose work and glory are their common heritage. The window above, the gift of Sir Frederick Wigan bt., bears the inscription to the glory of God in gratitude for his good gift to men in the genius of William Shakespeare.
Carved into the panel behind the figure are images of the original Globe Theatre in Southwark, Winchester Palace and the tower of Southwark Cathedral.
When we took our picture, the statue (by McCarthy) was holding a sprig of rosemary ("that’s for remembrance"), although we have found photos with different plants being used.
The 1954 stained glass window behind forms part of this memorial. Unveiled by Dame Sybil Thorndike, it replaces the original window by Charles Eamer Kempe, destroyed in WW2.
The window features characters from several Shakespeare plays. At the top are two quotations from The Tempest:
"These our actors as I foretold you, were all spirits and are melted into air, thin air; and like the baseless fabric of this vision."
"The cloud-capped towers, the gorgeous palaces, the solemn temples, the great globe itself, yea, all which it inherit, shall dissolve and like this insubstantial pageant faded, leave not a rack behind."
Although we were unable to see it, Webb's maker's mark is in the the bottom right hand corner. Likewise, along the base of the window there is apparently a depiction of the 'seven ages of man' from 'As You Like It'.
Southwark Cathedral has some good photos of the glass.
Site: Southwark Cathedral Shakespeare and Wanamaker (2 memorials)
SE1, Cathedral Street, Southwark Cathedral
The Wanamaker plaque is to the right of the Shakespeare memorial.
Credit for this entry to: Alan Patient of plaquesoflondon.co.uk
