Portly and draped in the robes of a Roman senator, here sits Charles James Fox. This bronze figure commemorates a Whig politician who died in 1806. The Charles James Fox Statue stands at the north end of Bloomsbury Square. It is a lasting tribute to a man of considerable influence.
Completed in 1814, the Charles James Fox Statue wasn’t erected until 1816. Richard Westmacott was the sculptor behind this impressive work. The statue portrays Fox seated because his friends thought standing would appear undignified due to his size. He holds a copy of Magna Carta symbolizing his dedication to liberty.
Charles James Fox had a political career spanning nearly forty years. He championed many liberal causes. These included American independence, the French Revolution, Catholic Emancipation, and the abolition of slavery. Despite his political achievements, Fox led a personally dissolute life. He struggled with weaknesses for women, gambling, and alcohol. He died heavily in debt at only 57.
Though his career was described as almost unrelieved failure his charm and genius for friendship left his admirers desolate. His friends and admirers paid for his funeral. They cleared his debts and funded a pension for his widow. They raised a considerable sum for a memorial. The sum of £12450 was sufficient for two memorials. One is a statue in Westminster Abbey, the other is here in Bloomsbury Square.
John Russell the 6th Duke of Bedford, Fox’s friend’s son, gave the site. The plinth bears Fox’s full name and the statue’s erection date. The statue is 2.74 meters high. The plinth is 2.43 meters high.
Interestingly, the statue was given Grade II listed status in 1951. It was then promoted to Grade II* listed on a very important day. That day was UNESCO’s International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition in 2008. While the Charles James Fox Statue doesn’t explicitly reference his abolitionist efforts, his memorial in Westminster Abbey does.
The memorial depicts Fox supported by Liberty. A slave kneels at his feet. This highlights his support for the cause.
The statue faces north. He looks down Bloomsbury Place towards the statue of his friend the 5th Duke of Bedford. The Charles James Fox Statue faced restoration in 2006. This marked the bicentenary of Fox’s death.
So, as you stand before the Charles James Fox Statue, remember the man. Remember his dedication to liberty and his impact on British history.