“Major-General William Earle,” by Charles Bell Birch (original) (raw)

Major-General Earle

Charles Bell Birch

1887

Bronze, on Darley Dale stone

South end of the east façade of St George's Hall, Liverpool

This wonderful "action-shot" of Major-General Earle shows him in the heat of battle, accoutred in battle-dress, with pith helmet, gauntlets, spurs and so on, his sword in his hand, a pistol at his waist and a water-canteen at his back. One arm raised to call on his men, he is stepping over what Terry Cavanagh identifies as "an African warrior's shield" (268). The plaque explains that Earle died in 1885 while commanding Her Majesty's troops in the battle of Kirbekan in the Sudan (he was en route to Khartoum, to rescue Gordon), and that the statue was erected by public subscription.

Other views

• With base and plaque
• Three-quarter rear
• [Photograph in different light by R. Freidus]

Photograph and text by Jacqueline Banerjee 2006

[You may use this image without prior permission for any scholarly or educational purpose as long as you (1) credit the photographer and (2) link your document to this URL.]