Richard Cobden Statue Stockport

Images of Britain: Richard Cobden Statue, Stockport

Richard Cobden statue in Stockport. — Stockport's Richard Cobden statue

Another statue of the reformer and social activist Richard Cobden (1804-1861) stands in St Peter's Square in Stockport as well as a more famous statue in St Ann's Square in nearby Manchester.

There are other statues of Cobden near Mornington Crescent Underground station in Camden Town, London and a work inside the historic Wool Exchange building in Bradford, Yorkshire.

The statue was sculpted by George Gammon Adams (1821-1898) and unveiled in 1886, with a time capsule placed beneath its plinth. The 16-foot-tall monument depicts Cobden speaking while holding a scroll and standing beside a pedestal decorated with symbols representing free trade and international treaties. Adams is probably best known for his statue of General Charles Napier in Trafalgar Square, London.

During regeneration work in the mid-2000s, the statue was temporarily moved before being returned to the town center area.

Born near Midhurst, in Sussex. Cobden came to Manchester for business in the 1830s and soon became involved in local politics. He opposed both the oppressive Corn Laws and the Crimean War (1853-1856). Due to his relentless advocacy the Corn Laws were eventually repealed in 1846.

At various times in his political career he was also a Liberal MP for Stockport from 1841 to 1847 and later Rochdale.

From Stockport Station, the statue is a short walk past Stockport Library towards the market area of the town, not far from both the Garrick Theatre and the Hat Works Museum on the A6.