Statue of Thomas Carlyle

The Statue of Thomas Carlyle is a bronze figure standing on a red granite pedestal in Chelsea Embankment Gardens, showing the historian in a thoughtful pose. The work was created by sculptor Joseph Edgar Boehm and is now protected as a Grade II listed monument.

Joseph Edgar Boehm created the monument in 1882, working through preparatory stages including plaster and marble versions before the final bronze casting. The work became protected as a Grade II listed building, reflecting its historical importance.

Thomas Carlyle was a Scottish writer whose works shaped Victorian literature and thought. The statue honors his lasting impact as a historian and cultural figure of the 1800s.

The monument is located in Chelsea Embankment Gardens, west of Oakley Street and near Carlyle's former home at 24 Cheyne Row. The area is easily accessible and the statue can be viewed year-round from the surrounding pathways.

The plinth bears a Latin inscription with Boehm's sculptor's mark in the classical tradition of commemorative art. This detail reflects how artists of the era signed their monumental works with formal reverence.

Location: Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea

Inception: 1882

Creator: Joseph Edgar Boehm

GPS coordinates: 51.48324,-0.16916

Latest update: December 13, 2025 12:24