Statue of Charles George Gordon

The Statue of Charles George Gordon depicts the general in military uniform, holding a cane and bible, with his head resting on his raised right hand and his left foot placed on a broken cannon. The bronze work sits in a public garden along the Thames and is supported by a stone base adorned with decorative elements.

Sculptor Hamo Thornycroft created the statue in 1888, originally placed in Trafalgar Square where it remained for many decades. The monument was relocated to Victoria Embankment Gardens in 1953, where it is now protected as a Grade II listed structure.

The monument shows General Gordon through bronze reliefs featuring allegorical figures such as Fortitude, Faith, Charity, and Justice on its Portland stone base. These representations reflect how people of the era honored military virtues and preserved them in public memorials.

The site sits between the Ministry of Defence building and the Thames, directly accessible from the Victoria Embankment walkway. The location is easy to reach on foot and can be viewed any time from the surrounding area.

During World War II, the monument was moved to Mentmore Towers in Buckinghamshire for safekeeping, far from London and the threat of war damage. Winston Churchill personally advocated for its return to the city after the war ended.

Location: City of Westminster

Inception: 1887

Creator: Hamo Thornycroft

GPS coordinates: 51.50453,-0.12378

Latest update: December 9, 2025 18:46