Sir James Outram - Whitehall Gardens, London, UK
N 51° 30.378 W 000° 07.385
30U E 699648 N 5710054
This statue, of Sir James Outram, is one of three statues given a place in Whitehall Gardens that are along the Victoria Embankment in Central London. Outram's statue is the northernmost of the three.
Waymark Code: WMEF3C
Location: London, United Kingdom
Date Posted: 05/20/2012
Views: 5
This is a memorial statue of Sir James Outram
by Matthew Noble. It was erected in 1871 and shows a bronze standing figure on
polished granite pedestal with groups of Indian arms and trophies at the
corners. The statue, that is about 125% life-size, shows Outram in uniform dress
coat and boots. His right hand is resting on the hilt of his drawn sword that
has its point touching the ground near his right foot. The empty sword scabbard
hangs from his left hip. In his left hand he is holding, what appears to be, a
telescope. He is bare headed and his head is turned slightly to the left as if
gazing towards India.
The statue stands on a granite pedestal which, in turn is sat on a Portland
stone base. Around the pedestal are groups of Indian arms, such as spears and
axes, as well as trophies such as helmets and shields.
The Westminster Abbey website (visit
link) tells us:
"Sir James Outram, Baronet, is buried in the
nave of Westminster Abbey. He was the second son of Benjamin Outram (d.1805) and
his wife Margaret (Anderson) and was born at Butterley Hall in Derbyshire on 29
January 1803. His widowed mother moved the family to Aberdeen where James was
educated. He was an army officer in the East India Company and spent most of his
life in India establishing British rule there. His name is connected with the
defence of Lucknow and his brother Francis (d.1829) was in the Bombay Engineers.
In India in 1835 he married his cousin Margaret Clementina Anderson (d.1911).
Their only child was Francis (1836-1912). In 1842 the epithet 'Bayard of India'
was first linked with his name and in 1857 he was made a Knight Grand Cross of
the Order of the Bath. He died at Pau in France and his body was returned to the
Abbey for burial. The gravestone inscription reads:
"Lieutenant General Sir James Outram. Born January 29 1803. Died March 11 1863.
The Bayard of India".
On the window ledge nearby is a memorial to the General by sculptor Matthew
Noble. It consists of a bust with the name OUTRAM below it and a bas-relief
showing the scene at the Residency when Lord Clyde (who is buried near him)
relieved Lucknow after a siege. General Havelock is shown standing between
Outram and Clyde. On either side are figures of a seated Scindian chief and a
seated Bheel chief. The inscription reads:
'To the memory of Lieut.Gen. Sir James Outram Bart. G.C.B. K.S.I. etc. A soldier
of the East India Company, who during a service of forty years in war, and in
council, by deeds of bravery and devotion, by an unselfish life, by benevolence
never weary of well doing, sustained the honor of the British nation, won the
love of his comrades, and promoted the happiness of the people of India. Born
January 29th 1803. Died March 11th 1863. Erected in this Abbey at the public
cost March 25th 1863. This monument is erected by the Secretary of State for
India in Council'."