Statue of Hr Marsden

The Statue of H R Marsden stands on Woodhouse Moor in Leeds, West Yorkshire. Unveiled in 1878, this roughly life-size Victorian figure is a Grade II listed monument on the National Heritage List for England. It honours Henry Rowland Marsden, a local businessman who became mayor, and the inscription on the pedestal records that more than 30,000 subscribers paid for it.

Who was Henry Rowland Marsden?

Marsden left for New York in 1848 and patented a stone-crushing machine there. He came back to Leeds in 1862 and served as the city's mayor from 1873 to 1875. The size of the public subscription behind his statue shows how widely he was respected in his own day.

What will you see?

The figure shows Marsden in the clothes of his time, wearing a mayoral robe and chain of office and holding a scroll. The statue is carved from white marble and rises from a square marble pedestal. Panels on the sides and back depict education, industry and benevolence, the themes his supporters chose to celebrate.

What condition is it in?

Do not expect a polished attraction. A Thoresby Society account describes the marble as dirty and pitted, the granite base as marked with graffiti, and one of the three carved panels as hacked out. For anyone interested in Victorian civic sculpture, though, it remains a telling record of how Leeds honoured its public figures.

How do you get there?

Woodhouse Moor is a large public park about two kilometres north-west of Leeds city centre, in the Hyde Park and Woodhouse area. The statue sits within the park, at roughly 53.8115 N, 1.5568 W. Access is open and free, and the park can be reached on foot from the centre or by local bus.

When should you visit?

The statue stands outdoors, so you can see it year-round. Good daylight helps you pick out the detail of the panels, and a visit fits easily into a walk through the park.

Frequently asked questions

Is there an entry fee? No. The statue is in a public park and free to view.

Is this the same monument as the one in Holbeck Cemetery? No. Holbeck Cemetery has a separate Grade II listed memorial to Marsden from about 1876. The Woodhouse Moor statue dates from 1878.

What is its heritage status? It was listed at Grade II on 5 August 1976, and the entry was amended in 1996.

How long does a visit take? Looking at the statue takes ten to fifteen minutes. Allow more time if you plan to walk around the park.