A Closer Look at the Buxton Memorial

Sitting pretty in Victoria Tower Gardens, the Buxton Memorial is – literally – overshadowed by its more famous neighbour, The Houses of Parliament.

But this jewel-like monument is a reminder of the darker side of Britain’s history; slavery. It remembers a group of people who fought against it.

Buxton Memorial | Look Up London

Officially it’s a fountain, although no water flows from it today, and its stands as a memorial to Sir Thomas Fowell Buxton. It was erected by his son, the MP Charles Buxton, in 1865*

*A plaque on the memorial says 1835. Just proves just can’t trust everything you read!

Sir Thomas Fowell Buxton

Born 1786, Thomas was an MP and social reformer. However he started his career in brewing and there’s a blue plaque to him on Brick Lane.

Thomas Buxton Plaque | Look Up London

In 1808 he started work at what was then the Truman, Hanbury & Company Brewery, probably getting the job from his family connection (his mother was Anna Hanbury, sister to the owners).

Later he became a partner and the brewery was known as Truman, Hanbury, Buxton & Company.

Thomas Buxton Memorial

Image from Wikimedia Creative Commons

Although the slave trade had been abolished in 1807, slavery was still ongoing and in 1823 Thomas helped found the Anti-Slavery Society and took over the majority of campaigning work and leadership of abolition from William Wilberforce after his health had started to deteriorate and he retired in 1825.

In 1833 the Slavery Abolition Act was passed, emancipating all slaves in the British Empire.

The Buxton Memorial

Designed as a joint effort by Charles Buxton and Samual Sanders Teulon, the water fountain is topped with an elaborate, multi-coloured, enamelled roof.

Buxton Memorial | Look Up London

It was originally intended for Parliament Square and did stand there until 1949. It was moved to Victoria Tower Gardens in 1957.

It’s absolutely covered with decoration and since the Royal Parks restored it in 2007, the tiles positively glowing with their brightness.

But it wasn’t always so.

By 1971 all 8 of the little figurative bronze statues that once embellished the fountain had been nicked! They were replaced in 1980 but again, don’t survive today.

What you can see though is a selection of mosaics, most depict animals and Bob Speel says they are meant to shows some of Aesop’s Fables.

Buxton Memorial | Look Up London

However one is worth closer attention;

It depicts a slave in the act of emancipation, chains being broken off him.

Buxton Memorial | Look Up London

So next time you’re in Westminster, it’s worth pausing to admire this lovely memorial.

Queenhithe Mosaic History

Each Wednesday morning I send out a new blog and YouTube video, packed with London’s hidden history. It’s also the best way to hear about my upcoming walking tours and virtual tours. Just add your email in the box below!


More London Inspiration

Tags:

6 Comments

  • Patricia M Leonard

    Reply

    I loved reading your story about the Buxton Memorial, Katie. What a treasure, and all the more appreciated now that I know its history.

    March 10, 2021 at 2:15 pm
  • Adrian Butters

    Reply

    Hi
    As usual, good interesting piece, but why would they get the date that wrong ? 1835 instead of 1865 ? Misunderstanding ? Anyone out there know ?

    Yours truly

    Adrian Butters

    March 10, 2021 at 6:56 pm
  • Definitely I would like to visit this place once in my lifetime

    March 12, 2021 at 10:32 pm
  • I do find this memorial rather coy and yet disturbing. The Gothic tribute, by his son, is to the abolitionist Sir Thomas Fowell Buxton along with Wilberforce, Clarkson and Macaulay. It does not mention the 12 million slaves who were forcibly uprooted from Africa and shipped across the Atlantic, many of whom died en-route.

    So little was thought of the memorial by the 1940s that it was shunted out of Parliament Square and into Victoria Tower Gardens.

    The structure used to feature eight monarchs of England (until they were stolen). Quite what they had to do with the abolition of slavery is not clear. The small mosaics running around the memorial are based on several of Aesop’s fables. Though Aesop himself was a slave, his fables were not mainly concerned with slavery.

    London and the UK needs a fitting tribute to those enslaved by the British. There is a campaign to have a memorial sculpture placed within Hyde Park but despite their efforts it has not yet come to fruition. http://www.memorial2007.org.uk

    March 24, 2021 at 8:50 am

Post a Comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

BOOK NOW