September 2014
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LIVERPOOL RADICAL By Stephen Guy
The imposing statue hewn from Sicilian marble stands hidden away in parkland where it is often missed by visitors. William Rathbone (1788 – 1868) was a towering figure in 19th century Liverpool but few remember him today. He and other members of his prominent business family helped to clean up the port when it was swept with disease and contagion. The Rathbones have long, distinguished links with Liverpool from the 18th century to the present day. Today Rathbones are known as merchant bankers but in the past they were also successful shipbuilders, cotton traders and sawmill owners. They stood out from many of their contemporaries as generous benefactors and radical social reformers. Kitty Wilkinson is today remembered for her pioneering public laundries. The Rathbones contributed public baths and wash houses to try to prevent outbreaks such as the Liverpool cholera epidemic of 1832. William Rathbone, confusingly the fifth family member to bear that name, established the Liverpool Corporation schools to improve the lives of countless poor children. He supported municipal reform and promoted religious tolerance. William served as Mayor of Liverpool in 1837 but his radical views put him at odds with fellow councillors. The potato blight caused huge distress in
Ireland and William sent famine relief in 1846 – 7. Following William’s death, Mayor of Liverpool Charles Mozley and town councillors unanimously agreed to erect the lifesized statue of William in Sefton Park. Unveiled in January 1887, it is close to the Rathbone family home at Greenbank (now University of Liverpool). The statue stands on a plinth made from Aberdeen and Cornish granite. William is depicted in a billowing cloak or gown, a faint smile on his face as he looks into the distance. The statue was designed by John Henry Foley and completed by his pupil Thomas Brock who also created three plaques around the memorial representing Commerce, Education and Charity. Sefton Park was created when Liverpool Corporation bought 375 acres from the Earl of Sefton. Some of the land was later sold to developers to finance the park’s creation – a tactic also used in other Liverpool parks. Sefton Park was opened by Prince Arthur, one of Queen Victoria’s children, in May 1872. William’s statue is one of several monuments added to the park over the decades. Learn more about the history of Liverpool at the Museum of Liverpool, Pier Head, open 10 am to 5 pm every day, admission free.
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Issue 87