Statue of Hugh Myddelton, Marble statue in Islington Green, London, England
The Statue of Hugh Myddelton is carved from white Sicilian marble and sits on a granite plinth in Islington Green. Two figures holding water urns flank the base, and fountains are integrated into the monument's design to provide water to the public.
Sculptor John Thomas created this monument in 1862 to honor Hugh Myddelton and his engineering achievement of building the New River system for London. The project delivered fresh water from a distant source to the expanding city for the first time.
The statue portrays Myddelton holding a map of the New River in one hand and a spade in the other, symbolizing his role as an engineer. This imagery directly reflects how his work transformed access to fresh water in the city.
The fountains at the base of the monument provide fresh water to visitors at this public location in the heart of Islington. The monument is freely accessible and stands as a central landmark, making it easy to find and visit while exploring the surrounding area.
The monument was constructed from white marble in 1862 and later received Grade II listed status, underscoring its value as an architectural heritage site. A commemorative ceremony took place in 2013 to mark 400 years since the water system became operational.
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