Eleven statues in George Square will be removed in May as redevelopment work gets underway this month.
Glasgow City Council will work with specialists on the restoration of the square’s 11 landmark statues which we have taken a closer look at. You can find everything you need to know about the major project to redesign George Square in this article.
The square is set to dramatically changed over the next few years as work is set to begin on the redevelopment of George Square in the coming months.
Firstly, the hoardings which will surround the perimeter of the city’s key civic space during its 18-month redevelopment will begin going up from 14 April. The panels on them will showcase Glasgow's past and present, while displaying the future vision for both George Square and the city.
Once the hoardings have been completed, in May the Square’s bronze statues will be removed for restoration and storage.
You can read our readers’ suggestions on who deserves a statue in the square here.
1. Sir Robert Peel
Former Prime Minister Sir Robert Peel entered parliament as a Tory in 1809. As Home Secretary from 1822, he was instrumental in the reform of the criminal law and in 1829 he introduced into London the improved Police which he had established in Ireland. The decision to erect a monument to Sir Robert Peel in Glasgow was made at a public meeting in the Trades Hall. The statue was erected in June 1859. | Declan McConville
2. William Ewart Gladstone
Four times Prime Minister William Ewart Gladstone was born in Liverpool and began his parliamentary career in 1832. The unveiling of the statue took place in October 1902 with the ceremony being performed by Earl of Rosebery. The statue was moved to its current location in 1923 during the construction of the Cenotaph. | Declan McConville
3. James Oswald
James Oswald was one of the first Glasgow MPS to the reformed parliament in 1831. The statue was unveiled in 1856 in Charing Cross, with Marochetti's statue being moved to George Square in 1875. | Declan McConville
4. Dr. Thomas Graham
Dr. Thomas Graham was a brilliant experimental chemist who was born in Glasgow in 1805. He was educated at the High School of Glasgow and went on to become a student at the University of Glasgow in 1819. His statue was gifted by James (Paraffin) Young with it being designed by William Brodie and erected in George Square in in 1872. | Declan McConville