Nelson Monument, Glasgow

The Nelson Monument is a commemorative obelisk built in 1806 in honour of Vice Admiral Horatio Nelson, constructed the year after his death at the Battle of Trafalgar. It is located within Glasgow Green, a historic public park in Glasgow, Scotland. It stands 144 feet (44 m) tall, and its square plinth is enclosed by cast iron railings.[1]

The Nelson Monument on Glasgow Green, in front of the People's Palace.

The obelisk was designed by the architect David Hamilton.[1] A plaque in front of the column records that it was the first civic monument in Britain to Nelson's victories, funded by a public subscription. The foundation stone was laid on 20 August 1806, and the monument was constructed by the mason A. Brockett.[2]

Close up of Monument at sunset

Soon after its construction, the obelisk was struck by lightning, leaving a long structural crack in the monument: this event was depicted in a painting by John Knox, which is now in the nearby People's Palace museum. In 1965 a tablet was added to the plinth commemorating James Watt's use of Glasgow Green while thinking about an improved steam engine.[1]

The monument became a category A listed building in 1970.[3]

References
  1. "Glasgow Green, Nelson Monument, including Railings". Historic Environment Scotland Portal. 1 October 2015. Retrieved 22 November 2016.
  2. Photograph of plaque at the foot of the column
  3. "Glasgow Green, Nelson Monument - British Listed Buildings". www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk. Retrieved 18 December 2016.

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