St Andrew Square, Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom
Designer
William Burn (architect)
Francis Leggatt Chantrey (statue)
Type
Victory column
Material
Sandstone
Height
45 m (150 ft)
Weight
approx. 1,500 tons[1]
Beginning date
1821
Completion date
1827
Restored date
2008
Dedicated to
Henry Dundas, 1st Viscount Melville
Listed Building – Category A
Official name
St Andrew Square, Melville Monument with Boundary Walls and Railings
Designated
13 January 1966
Reference no.
LB27816
The Melville Monument is a large column in St Andrew Square, Edinburgh constructed between 1821 and 1827 as a memorial to Scottish statesman Henry Dundas, 1st Viscount Melville.
Dundas, the most prominent politician from Scotland of his period, was a dominant figure in British politics during much of the late 18th century. Plans to construct a memorial to him began soon after his death in 1811 and were largely driven by Royal Navy officers, especially Sir William Johnstone Hope. After a successful campaign for subscriptions, construction of the monument began in 1821 but time and costs soon spiralled out of control. The project was not completed until 1827 and not paid off until 1837. During the 21st century, the monument became the subject of increasing controversy due to Dundas' legacy, especially debates over the extent of his role in legislating delays to the abolition of British involvement in the Atlantic slave trade.[2] In the wake of protests following the murder of George Floyd in 2020, the City of Edinburgh Council moved to erect a plaque on the monument to reflect the Dundas' legacy[3] according to the Edinburgh Slavery and Colonialism Legacy Review Report and Recommendations.[4] Installation of the plaque was completed in October 2021.In March 2023 the City of Edinburgh Council planning committee voted to remove the contentious plaque [5] but the council later explained that it did not intend to remove the plaque.[6]
Designed by William Burn, the column is modelled after Trajan's Column in Rome. Robert Stevenson provided additional engineering advice during construction. The column is topped by a 4.2 m (14 ft) tall statue of Dundas designed by Francis Leggatt Chantrey and carved by Robert Forrest. The total height of the monument is about 45 m (150 ft). It is one of Edinburgh's most prominent landmarks.[2]
^Cite error: The named reference P&S152 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ abCite error: The named reference HES was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^Cite error: The named reference Plaque was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^"Edinburgh Slavery and Colonialism Legacy Review Report and Recommendations" (PDF). 30 August 2022. Retrieved 8 March 2023.
^"22/04496/LBC | Removal of plaque. | Melville Statue St Andrew Square Edinburgh" (PDF). 2 March 2023. Retrieved 8 March 2023.
^Lloyd, Karen. "Melville Monument Plaque – a clarification". The City of Edinburgh Council. Retrieved 8 March 2023.
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