Duke of York Column

The Duke of York Column is a monument in London, England, to His Royal Highness Prince Frederick, Duke of York, the second eldest son of King George III. It is located near where Regent Street meets The Mall, to the west of Admiralty Arch. The column was chiseled from pink granite, and the statue created by Sir Richard Westmacott in 1834. The statue is facing northwest, towards Crimean War Memorial and Piccadilly Circus.

Related Topics:
Monument - London - England - Prince Frederick, Duke of York - King George III - Regent Street - The Mall - Admiralty Arch - Granite - Sir Richard Westmacott - 1834 - Crimean War Memorial - Piccadilly Circus

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Prince Frederick, Duke of York was the commander-in-chief of the British Army during the French Revolutionary Wars. The Duke is remembered in the children's nursery rhyme, "The Grand Old Duke of York". When he died in 1827, the entire British Army had to forego one days wages in order to pay for a monument to the Duke. The column was started in 1833 and finished one year later.

Related Topics:
British Army - French Revolutionary Wars - Nursery rhyme - 1827 - 1833

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The great height of the column (123 ft 6 in or 37.6 m) caused wits to suggest that the Duke was trying to escape his creditors, as the Duke died £2 million in debt.

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