| Robert Raikes | |
|---|---|
 The statue in 2012 | |
 | |
| Artist | Thomas Brock |
| Type | Statue |
| Medium | Bronze |
| Subject | Robert Raikes |
| Location | London,WC2 United Kingdom |
| Coordinates | 51°30′34″N0°07′13″W / 51.50934°N 0.12029°W /51.50934; -0.12029 |
Astatue ofRobert Raikes, often regarded as being the founder ofSunday schools, executed by the sculptorThomas Brock, stands inVictoria Embankment Gardens,London, United Kingdom. It was unveiled by theEarl of Shaftesbury on 3 July 1880 and marked the centenary of the opening of the first Sunday school. The criticEdmund Gosse considered the statue to be "as good as anything of the kind we possess in England".[1] In 1958 it was designated a Grade II-listed building.[2]
The front of the plinth reads:ROBERT RAIKES/ FOUNDER OF SUNDAY SCHOOLS/ 1780/ THIS STATUE WAS ERECTED/ UNDER THE DIRECTION/ OF THE SUNDAY SCHOOL UNION/ BY CONTRIBUTIONS/ FROM TEACHERS AND SCHOLARS/ OF SUNDAY SCHOOLS IN GREAT BRITAIN/ JULY 1880. An inscription below the figure's right foot reads:THOS BROCK SCULPT/ LONDON. 1880.[3]
In 1929 replicas of the statue were cast for erection the following year inGloucester andToronto, for the 150th anniversary the following year of opening of the first Sunday school.[1]
Media related toStatue of Robert Raikes, London at Wikimedia Commons | This article about a sculpture in the United Kingdom is astub. You can help Wikipedia byadding missing information. |
