Lot Essay
The statue of the celebrated 19th century prime-minister Sir William Ewart Gladstone (1809-1898), a son of Liverpool, was executed by Sir Thomas Brock (1847-1942) at the cost of £5,000, paid for by the citizens of Liverpool. Brock was later commissioned to design the Queen Victorian Memorial for the forecourt of Buckingham Palace. The sculpture of Gladstone was unveiled by John, 5th Earl Spencer (1835-1910) who had served as Lord Lieutenant of Ireland under his government and had served in two of his cabinets. The sculpture was placed in St. John's Gardens, which had been newly created beside the St. George's Hall in Liverpool.