ARTWORKS

Sir John Sinclair (1754–1835)

Francis Leggatt Chantrey (1781–1841)

Sir John's Square, Thurso, Highland

Sir John Sinclair (1754–1835)
Sir John Sinclair (1754–1835)
Sir John Sinclair (1754–1835)
Sir John Sinclair (1754–1835)
Sir John Sinclair (1754–1835)
Sir John Sinclair (1754–1835)
Sir John Sinclair (1754–1835)
Sir John Sinclair (1754–1835)
Sir John Sinclair (1754–1835)
Sir John Sinclair (1754–1835)
Sir John Sinclair (1754–1835)
Sir John Sinclair (1754–1835)
Sir John Sinclair (1754–1835)
Sir John Sinclair (1754–1835)
Sir John Sinclair (1754–1835)
Sir John Sinclair (1754–1835)
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Image credit: Walter Allan / Art UK

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Notes

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Originally in the grounds of Thurson Castle, 1835, a figure on a tall, corniced neo-classical pedestal, with an inscription and stepped based decorated with laurel wreaths. Sinclair was the promoter of the (first) Statistical Account. He is depicted wearing the uniform of the Colonel of Rothesay and Caithness Fencibles Statute. The statue formerly stood at Thurso Castle but was moved in 1856 and placed on a pedestal gifted by Rev. Alexander Miller.
Title

Sir John Sinclair (1754–1835)

Date

1835

Medium

stone

Accession number

KW14_WA_S049

Acquisition method

commissioned by Sir George Sinclair

Work type

Statue

Owner

The Highland Council

Custodian

The Highland Council

Work status

extant

Listing status

B (Scotland)

Listing date

15/08/79

Access

at all times

Inscription description

incised letters to inset panel at front of pedestal: THE RT HON.BLE / SIR / JOHN SINCLAIR / OF / ULBSTER, BARONET / BORN 10TH MAY 1754 / DIED 21ST DECR. 1835 / FORMERLY M.P. / FOR CAITHNESS.; incised letters to inset panel at rear of pedestal: THIS PEDESTAL / PRESENTED / TO THE TOWN OF / THURSO / BY / ALEXANDER MILLER / 1856; underneath this inset panel, at rear of pedestal: THIS STATUE WAS PRESENTED TO THURSO / BY SIR GEORGE SINCLAIR WHO ALSO GAVE / THE PEOPLE THE RIGHT TO ELECT THEIR OWN / MAGISTRATES AND THE TOWN CUSTOMS; incised letters above and below an inset panel on side of pedestal: THE AMERICAN AMBASSADOR SAID / IN HIS MEMOIRS THAT THE CHANCELLOR / OF THE EXCHEQUER TOLD HIM THAT / SIR JOHN SINCLAIR’S WORK ON THE PUB / LIC REVENUE WAS THE BEST BOOK ON / THAT SUBJECT IN THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE. / HE WAS THE AUTHOR OF 367 PUBLICATIONS. / HE HAD DIPLOMAS FROM 13 FOREIGN / COUNTRIES, AND ABOUT 200 PERSONS / OWED THEIR SUCCESS IN LIFE TO HIM. / TWENTY-TWO SCOTCH COUNTIES VOTED / THANKS TO HIM FOR HIS SERVICES TO / AGRICULTURE.; incised letters to inset panel to centre of this text, a verse from Gray’s Elegy: THE BOAST OF HERALDRY / THE POMP OF POWER, / AND ALL THAT BEAUTY, ALL / THAT WEALTH E'ER GAVE, / AWAIT ALIKE TH' / INEVITABLE HOUR / THE PATHS OF GLORY / LEAD BUT TO THE GRAVE.; incised letters above and below an inset panel on a second side of pedestal: AND HE FOUNDED THE BOARD OF AGRIC / ULTURE. HE RASIED A REGIMENT OF / VOLUNTEERS IN CAITHNESS WHEN NAP / OLEON THREATENED TO INVADE GREAT / BRITAIN, AND HE SERVED WITH THEM AS / THEIR COLONEL. HE WAS A GREAT PATRIOT / AND PHILANTHROPIST MOST CHARITA / BLE AND EXEMPLARY IN EVERY / RELATION OF LIFE. HE MARRIED THE / DAUGHTER OF LORD MACDONALD / AND HIS MOTHER WAS SISTER OF / THE EARL OF SUTHERLAND; (Incised letters to inset panel to centre of this text is illegible)

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Located at

Sir John's Square, Thurso

KW14 7BE

Centrally located within Sir John's Square.

Artist or maker

Francis Leggatt Chantrey

1781–1841

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