The memorial was desisigned by Mr. J.H. Chamberlain, of the firm of Martin and Chamberlain, and was presented to the town October 26, 1880, during the mayoralty of Mr. Richard Chamberlain. The medallion of the right hon. gentleman is the work of Mr. Thomas Woolner, R.A.
Chamberlain, J.H.—The sum of £2,744 13s. 6d. raised by subscription for the founding of a memorial of the late Mr. John Henry Chamberlain, was given to the Midland Institute, with which the lamented gentleman was so intimately connected.
Dawson.—A public meeting was held Jan. 3, 1877, to decide on a memorial of George Dawson, and the sum of £2,287 13s. 9d. was subscribed for a statue to be erected at the rear of the Town Hall, but it was esteemed so poor a portrait that after a little while it was removed, in favour of the present statue. A very pleasing bust, which is a very striking likeness and really characteristic portrait was unveiled at the Church of the Saviour, Aug. 8, 1882. It bears the following inscription:—
IN LOVING MEMORY OF
GEORGE DAWSON, M.A.
Coming to this town in the year 1844, he gathered round him a band of followers, who found in his teaching a fervent religious spirit, and a fearless trust in God as our Heavenly Father, in union with an earnest search after truth. To perpetuate such union they built this Church, which he opened August 8. 1847, and in which he ministered until his death. Not in this Church only, but throughout the land did he everywhere teach to nations: that they are exalted by righteousness alone—to men: "To do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with God."
He was born February 24. 1821, and died November 10, 1876.
"I HAVE FOUGHT THE GOOD FIGHT."
Mr. T.J. Williamson, who executed this bust was entrusted with the order for the new statue.
George IV.—The first bronze statue ever cast in Birmingham was that of George IV., the work of Sir Edward Thomason, in 1823. Sir Edward employed the best of talent and spared no pains to turn out a splendid work of art, but he never found a customer for it. The statue is 6ft. high, weighing 2-1/2 tons, and costing over £1,500, but was sold in November, 1880, to a gentleman in the neighborhood for £150, little more than the value of the metal. Goldsmith.—The statue of Goldsmith, in the hall of the Reference Library, is a plaster cast of the bronze statue manufactured by Messrs. Elkington for the City of Dublin. Hill.—The sum of £1,500 was raised by public subscription, for the purpose of erecting a statue of Sir Rowland Hill. The work was executed in marble by Mr. P. Hollins, and pending the erection of the new Post Office buildings, the charge of the statue was accepted by the Exchange Buildings Committee, September 12, 1870 and remained in the Birmingham Exchange until the year 1874, when it was removed to the position in which it at present stands, in the corner of the principal room of the Post Office, Paradise Street.
Hill, M.D.—A very fine bust of Matthew Davenport Hill, the first Recorder for the borough, is placed in the Art Gallery at the Reference Library.
James.—A bust of the Rev. Angell James may be seen at Aston Hall.