Statues - Hither & Thither

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Caernarfon
Gwynedd
Wales

Castle Square - Y Maes

Sir Hugh Owen

Llangeinwen, Anglesey 1804 - 1881
Welsh educator, one of the pioneers of higher education in Wales
(Wikipedia)

J. Milo Griffith
Compagnie des Bronzes (Bruxelles)
1888

Description

Bronze statue of Hugh Owen holding a rolled parchment in his left hand. In his right hand he holds and upright book which is balanced on a pile of four books on small pedestal.

Inscription(s)

Sir HUGH OWEN
Born 1804 Died 1881
—
Erected
by
A Grateful nation
—
Da wladwr duwiol ydoedd
A Gwr i Dduw o'r gwraidd oedd

The Welsh text is a quotation from the Welsh poet David Richards (Dafydd Ionawr) (1751-1827). The verse is almost impossible to translate since it is in cynghanedd, with strict rules of alliteration and repeating combinations of consonants. The meaning is as follows : "He was a good and godly countryman / A man of God right to his roots.".

On a slate slab mounted on left side of pedestal:

ft side of pedestal: SYR HUGH OWEN
1804-1881
Dyngarwr diflino, cysegrodd ei fywyd
i sefydlu:–
Ysgolion Cynradd an-enwadol yng Nghymru:
Colegau Hyfforddi i athrawon Cymreig;
Prifysgol Cymru;
Ysgolion sîr (Canol-raddol) Cymreig.

SIR HUGH OWEN
1804-1881
A tireless philanthropist, he devoted
his life to the establishment of:–
Non-sectarian Primary Schools in Wales;
Training Colleges for Welsh Teachers;
The University of Wales;
Welsh County (Intermediate) Schools.

Signed: j. milo griffith / Sc. 1887.
C^ie des Bronzes / bruxelles

Annotation

The statue had been provided by subscriptions of London Welshmen and the pedestal by local subscription. It was unveiled on 23 October 1888 by the Hon. Mrs Wynn Jones.

Statue of Sir Hugh Owen with in the background the statue of Lloyd George and Caernarfon castle

Artist

James Milo Griffith (Pontseli, Pembrokeshire 1843 - London 1897), Welsh sculptor (Wikipedia).

Sources & Information

Public Monuments and Sculpture Association, National Recording Project Database.
University College for the Creative Arts, VADS (Visual Arts Data Service).
British Listed Buildings, Listed buildings in Wales.
Wrexham Advertiser - Saturday 27 October 1888 (British Newspaper Archive).

Location (N 53°8'21" - W 4°16'29") (Satellite view: Google Maps)

Item Code: gbwa125; Photograph: 30 July 2012
Of each statue we made photos from various angles and also detail photos of the various texts.
If you want to use photos, please contact us via the contact form (in Dutch, English or German).
© Website and photos: René & Peter van der Krogt

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