Statue of Sir Charles Wetherell
by Thomas Tyley of Bristol, 1839
stone (oolitic limestone)

 (click on each in turn for an enlargement)

Sir Charles Wetherell was Recorder (senior judge) of Bristol and was unpopular because he repeatedly declared that the people of Bristol were not interested in the reform of Parliament. When he arrived in the city for the opening of the Assizes in October 1831 crowds demonstrated their anger. The demonstration became a riot and for nearly two days Bristol was in the hands of the mob. The Mansion House and Custom House and much of Queen Square, the Bishop’s Palace, toll houses, prisons and many other buildings were destroyed or severely damaged in the bloodiest riots of the nineteenth century. The Great Reform Act was finally passed in 1832.

This statue was erected in 1839, on the premises of Mr Milsom, a builder, near Meridian Place, Clifton.

Given by James Fuller Eberle, 1921. K5087
Conserved in 2009 with the assistance of the Friends of Bristol Art Gallery, the Society of Merchant Venturers, the Bristol Savages, and Rosemary Furber (née Wetherell).

Note: the Statue was under wraps during the winter, but can now be seen in all its restored glory until the end of October.

(Updated on 23 May 2010)