From the ‘Gentleman's Magazine’, May 1812, pl. II, p. 417. Following the Battle of Trafalgar, towns and cities throughout Britain erected memorials, towers and statues to Nelson’s memory. The statue placed in the Bull Ring in Birmingham in 1809 was the first in Britain to honour him. Erected by the inhabitants, it is also the earliest known public work by its sculptor, Richard Westmacott. Nelson, in uniform, leans on an anchor with the prow of a ship behind. The 7ft 6in figure was originally protected by a spiked fence, traditionally said to be made of the pikes used by British infantrymen in the French wars of 1793 –1815. On the base is the mourning figure of Birmingham, accompanied by children bearing a trident and rudder. This print was published in the ‘Gentlemen’s Magazine’, May 1812, together with a letter from Joseph Wilday.

‘Birmingham Jan 1
Mr Urban

‘Inclosed is a sketch of the statue to the memory of the immortal NELSON in the centre of the market place of this town, executed in bronze by Westmacott, a statuary of the first eminence. For this patriotic testimony of grateful veneration, a subscription of upwards of £3,000 was raised among the inhabitants, at the period when the glorious victory of Trafalgar animated the breast of every Briton with joy and gratitude. In this work intended to perpetuate the greatest example of Naval genius. Simplicity has been the chief object of the arrangement. The Hero is represented in a reposed and dignified attitude, the left arm reclining upon an anchor. He appears in a costume of his country, invested with the insignia of those honours by which his Sovereign and distant princes distinguished him. To the right of the statue is introduced the grand symbol of the Naval profession ; Victory the constant leader of her favourite hero, embellished the prow. To the left is disposed a sail, which passing behind the statue, gives breadth to that view of the composition. Above the ship is the facsimile of the Flag Staff truck of the L’Orient, fished up by Sir S Hood the day following the battle of the Nile, presented by him to Lord Nelson, and now deposited at Milford as a trophy of that ever memorable action. This groupe is surmounted upon a pedestal of statuary marble. A circular form has been selected as best adaptable to the situation.

To personify that affectionate regard which caused the present patriotic tribute to be raised, the Town of Birmingham morally crowned in a dejected attitude, is represented by groupes of Genii or children, in allusion to the rising race, who offer her consolation by bringing her trident and rudder. In the front of the pedestal is an inscription (see Plate II)

Yours &c JOSEPH WILDAY’