Climbing this high must have seemed like a good idea to the Duke of York. He stands tall atop the Duke of York Column, gazing out over London. This towering monument is more than just a statue. It’s a testament to a controversial figure. Prince Frederick, Duke of York, was the second son of King George III. He’s remembered as the “Grand Old Duke of York” from the nursery rhyme. He was also the commander-in-chief of the British Army during the French Revolutionary Wars.
The Duke of York was a reformer who helped modernize the army. However, he was also criticized for his lavish spending and military failures. When he died in 1827, the British Army decided to honor him with a monument. They contributed a day’s wages to fund its construction. The Duke of York Column, designed by Benjamin Dean Wyatt, was completed in 1834. It stands at an impressive 137 feet tall. The column itself is made of granite from Aberdeenshire, Scotland. Atop this grand pillar stands the bronze statue of the Duke, created by Sir Richard Westmacott.
There’s a persistent rumor about the Duke of York Column. People say it was built so high because the Duke, deeply in debt, wanted to escape his creditors. Of course, it’s just a joke. But it highlights the complex legacy of the man the monument honors: a leader who was both admired and criticized, a reformer who couldn’t escape scandal.