Thomas Fleming (1767-1848),” by Edward Hodges Baily (1768-1867). 1893. Larger than life (1.9m) marble statue and drum pedestal. Manchester Cathedral. Fleming, who came from a family in the dyeing trade, was a highly influential Tory politician and Churchman. Click on the images for larger pictures.
Baily shows a tall, forceful, determined-looking figure, wearing an "open frock-coat, showing his waistcoat, breeches, and shoes with buckles" (Wyke 55). Fleming holds a scroll in one and points with the other hand at more scrolls on the draped pillar beside him, suggesting the extent of his influence. The long inscription on the drum praises him as having "devoted an extraordinary degree of bodily and mental energy to the improvement of his native town." Apparently the "more radical left wing politicians" christened him "the uncrowned king of Manchester" ("Manchester Politicians").
Related Material
- William Theed's monument to Humphrey Chetham, another Manchester worthy, in the Cathedral (Theed had been Baily's pupil)
- Manchester Cathedral
Photographs, text, and formatting by Jacqueline Banerjee. [You may use these images without prior permission for any scholarly or educational purpose as long as you (1) credit the photographer and (2) link your document to this URL in a web document or cite the Victorian Web in a print one.]
Bibliography
"Manchester Politicians, Law & Social Reformers." Papillon Graphics' Virtual Encyclopedia of Manchester. Web. 26 March 2012.
Wyke, Terry, with Harry Cocks. Sculpture of Greater Manchester. Liverpool: Liverpool University Press, 2004.
Last modified 26 March 2012