Walter Scott
The Statues of George Square Glasgow
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Father of the Industrial Revolution. While working in Glasgow, he improved the steam engine by fitting a separate condenser. Other improvements followed, which made his engine the power unit of the Industrial Revolution.
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Robert Burns Statue (1759-1796)Celebrated as Scotland's national poet or Bard, he was born in Alloway and died in Dumfries. He is famous for writing Auld Lang Syne, which is sung throughout the World at New Year. The statue was paid by public subscription, with over 40,000 people contributing a shilling (5p) each.
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Born in Glasgow, he is considered the father of Colloid Chemistry. He became the Master of the Mint and introduced the bronze penny to our coinage. The statue was paid for and erected by one of his former students, James "Paraffin" Young, father of the shale-oil industry.
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The son of a wealthy landowner and merchant, James Oswald of Auchincruive was a liberal politician twice elected as an MP for Glasgow. Erected in 1856 in Sandyford Place this statue was moved to George Square in 1875. Why? By then Robert Peel, his political opponent, had a statue in the more prestigious square and Oswald's family and supporters petitioned the council to get him.
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Liverpool born politician, William Gladstone, was Prime Minister of Britain four times. He was awarded the Freedom of the City of Glasgow in 1879, and like Robert Peel before him, he was also Lord Rector of Glasgow University.
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As the Prime Minister of Great Britain. Peel repealed the Corn Laws, which restricted the import of foodstuffs. He created the Metropolitan Police in London, which is why British Police are known as "Bobbies". He was elected as Rector of Glasgow University.
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Although they stand as a pair at the western end of George Square at present, these equestrian statutes have moved about a bit. Queen Victoria's was made first and stood in St Vincent Place from 1854 before arriving in George Square in 1866.
