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Description: | An over life-size bronze statue of the Sixth Marquis of Londonderry atop a sandstone pedestal. The moustached figure stands outside the former Londonderry Offices, poised as though to survey his town and colliery. The rear of the pedestal supports a relief of the Marquis' coat of arms with the motto: 'Metuenda Corrolla Draconis' (Beware of the Dragon's Crest) Additional Information: Born 16th July 1852, educated at Eton and Christ Church, Oxford, Charles Stewart was elected MP for the County of Down as Lord Castlereagh in 1878. Two years later, on the death of his father, he entered the House of Lords. A steadfast Conservative and an opponent of Home Rule in Ireland, much of his political life was occupied with defending the Union. In 1886, at a time of high nationalist feeling, he was appointed Viceroy of Ireland. For his services in Ireland (1886-1889) he was created Knight of the Order of the Garter. In 1900, under Lord Salisbury's government he was made postmaster-general and in 1902 president of the Board of Education.(1) As Lord Lieutenant of Durham and a landlord of considerable wealth (he inherited 23,000 acres in England), the Marquis' country house at Wynard Park, near Stockton was host to gatherings of eminent politicians and members of the royal family. It has been rumoured that Lord Reginald, the Londonderry's third child, was in reality the son of Edward VII.(2) One of the major coalowners of the county, the Marquis was said to be liberal in the provision of churches, schools, colliery institutes and club premises. (3) However, in a number of mining disputes his actions were deemed ill-judged. Most notable amongst these was the Silksworth strike of 1891 during which his decision to evict miners from their homes resulted in a violent struggle between candymen or baliffs and townspeople. The police made a charge on protesters and thirty people, including women and children, were admitted to the Sunderland Infirmary with injuries.(4) The sixth Marquis died of pneumonia at Wynard Park 8th February 1915. He is buried at Long Newton.(5) | Subjects: | Statue | Source: | Vads | Creator: | Sculptor: Tweed, John | Identifier: | http://www.vads.ac.uk/large.php?uid=7519... | Go to resource |
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