Eccentric cleric or calculating miser? That is the question we ponder as we stand before the Samuel Wilson Warneford Statue.
This statue immortalizes Samuel Wilson Warneford. He was an English cleric and philanthropist. Warneford lived from 1763 to 1855. He dedicated his life to religious, educational, and medical causes.
Now, let’s delve deeper into the story of Samuel Wilson Warneford. He came from an old but impoverished family. His fortunes changed when his father married into wealth. Warneford followed suit. He married Margaret Loveden a daughter of a cheese merchant and Member of Parliament. She had inherited a legacy of £34000.
Margaret’s wealth enabled Warneford’s philanthropic pursuits. However, his marriage was short lived. Margaret died insane and childless only three years after their wedding.
Warneford was known for his eccentricity and frugal lifestyle. Despite his wealth he lived modestly. He was a zealous man with strong religious views. Thomas Vaughan, his biographer, noted his suspicion of Jesuits and dissenters.
He bought the advowsons of Lydiard Millicent and Bourton-on-the-Hill. He became an honorary canon of Gloucester Cathedral in 1844. Warneford was described as shy and reclusive. He travelled extensively. He oversaw his many charitable projects. He was known for his outmoded dress and old horses.
On his deathbed, Warneford expressed regret. He said “I should have been kinder. I should have been more considerate and understanding.” Some say he was a miser and others saw him as very generous. He gave away a huge fortune to get rid of it deliberately.
Warneford’s philanthropy spanned religion, education, and healthcare. He used his donations to reward worthy projects and punish the unworthy. He financed schools and medical aid in the Gloucester diocese. He provided facilities for older people in Bourton.
His religious contributions included donations to various societies. These included the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel. He also donated land for the Clergy Orphan School.
Warneford’s involvement with the Radcliffe Infirmary was significant. He donated money and property for a new asylum. It later became the Warneford Lunatic Asylum in 1843. He contributed to the Warneford, Leamington, and South Warwickshire Hospital. He also supported medical scholarships and religious development at King’s College, London.
At Queen’s College, Birmingham, he funded chaplaincies, scholarships, and new buildings. His involvement ensured it was an Anglican institution.
Peter Hollins of Birmingham sculpted this statue in 1849. It commemorates Warneford’s contributions to the asylum.
So, as we stand before the Samuel Wilson Warneford Statue remember the man. Was he an eccentric cleric or a calculating miser? Perhaps he was a bit of both. He left a lasting legacy of philanthropy.