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Description: | A one and a half life-size bronze statue of Joseph Pease. Represented in middle age with short side whiskers and wearing contemporary dress, he faces south towards the Old Town Hall and Clock Tower. His pose, standing with one arm at rest, the other tucked into the breast of his waistcoat was one he typically took when speaking in public.(1) The now brown-streaked figure surmounts a polished pink granite pedestal on a grey granite base. Each face of the dado bears a bronze panel in relief. These depict detailed scenes of Pease's public life; south face: figures standing in the lobby of the Houses of Parliament; west face: slaves celebrating their freedom with William Wilberforce; north face: a locomotive engine arriving at the docks; east face: a schoolmistress teaching young children. Additional Information: Born the second son of Edward Pease, a prominent Darlington Quaker, prosperous businessman and 'Father of the Railways', Joseph Pease (1799-1872) assisted his father in the development of the Stockton and Darlington Railway becoming its first treasurer at the age of 19.(2) He bought farmland in Middlesbrough, extended the railway there and helped establish the town as an industrial centre. In his attempts to persuade mineral owners of the merits of using locomotive transport he bought collieries and conveyed coals by rail. By the time he came to retire in 1870(3) rail had not only become the principal mode of coal transportation, its use had significantly reduced the price of the fuel. The first Quaker MP to sit in the Houses of Parliament, Joseph Pease represented South Durham in the years 1832-41. It is said that he refused to canvas for votes or spend any money on his election. In the House he spoke frequently against the slave trade and was an advocate of political and social reforms.(4) A philanthropist with a keen interest in promoting Darlington's health, education and temperence, he was the town's first president of the General Board of Health. He established three schools in Darlington, and donated to its townspeople eight drinking fountains, the market tower clock and a large plot in South Park.(5) When the town obtained the Royal Charter of Incorporation in 1867 he was invited to become the first Mayor, a position he was unable to accept. At the time of his death in February 1872, approximately 10,000 men were employed by him and his personal wealth was valued at £350,000.(6) | Subjects: | Statue | Source: | Vads | Creator: | Sculptor: Lawson, George Anderson Foundry: Cox and Sons | Identifier: | http://www.vads.ac.uk/large.php?uid=7538... | Go to resource |
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