Sculpture bust of William Fairbairn
Date
1855
Sitter
William Fairbairn (1789 - 1874, British) , Engineer
Creator
Patric Park (1811 - 1855, British) , Sculptor
Object type
Archive reference number
Material
Dimensions
height (sculpture): 660mm
width (sculpture): 590mm
depth (sculpture): mm
height (socle): 135mm
diameter (socle): 274mm
width (sculpture): 590mm
depth (sculpture): mm
height (socle): 135mm
diameter (socle): 274mm
Subject
Description
Bust of William Fairbairn with head turned to the right as viewed, shown in old age. In classical style with draped shoulders. On a round marble socle.
Inscribed on the back ‘PATRIC PARK RSA MANCHESTER, 1855’.
Sir William Fairbairn (1789-1874) was a British civil engineer, he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1850.
Inscribed on the back ‘PATRIC PARK RSA MANCHESTER, 1855’.
Sir William Fairbairn (1789-1874) was a British civil engineer, he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1850.
Object history
Provenance: Presented by T Fairbairn, 1862.
The donation is recorded in the Royal Society’s Council Minutes: ‘The President communicated the following letter which he had received from Mr. Thomas Fairbairn:- “23 Queen’s Gate, W., 12th Feb. MY DEAR SIR, -- Having your permission, it affords me sincere pleasure to offer for the acceptance of the Royal Society a marble Bust of my father, the President of the British Association for the Advancement of Science. The Bust is the work of the late Patrick [Patric] Park; and should the Royal Society honour me by agreeing to my proposal, I shall feel gratified by the work passing into the custody of the distinguished Society over which you preside. I remain, my dear Sir, Your most truly THOMAS FAIRBAIRN” To General Sabine, President of the Royal Society. Resolved – That the cordial thanks of the President and Council be returned to Mr. Fairbairn for his highly valued gift to the Society.’’ Royal Society Minutes of Council, Printed, v.3 1858-69, meeting 20 February 1862, p.113.
The donation is recorded in the Royal Society’s Council Minutes: ‘The President communicated the following letter which he had received from Mr. Thomas Fairbairn:- “23 Queen’s Gate, W., 12th Feb. MY DEAR SIR, -- Having your permission, it affords me sincere pleasure to offer for the acceptance of the Royal Society a marble Bust of my father, the President of the British Association for the Advancement of Science. The Bust is the work of the late Patrick [Patric] Park; and should the Royal Society honour me by agreeing to my proposal, I shall feel gratified by the work passing into the custody of the distinguished Society over which you preside. I remain, my dear Sir, Your most truly THOMAS FAIRBAIRN” To General Sabine, President of the Royal Society. Resolved – That the cordial thanks of the President and Council be returned to Mr. Fairbairn for his highly valued gift to the Society.’’ Royal Society Minutes of Council, Printed, v.3 1858-69, meeting 20 February 1862, p.113.
Associated place