Ian Bright Architects

Erected 1910. Grade II Listed. Also appears in the Public Monuments & Sculpture Association’s National Recording Project.

Sir Francis Sharp Powell (1827 – 1911) was a Wiganer who served his town as Conservative MP for two periods from 1857-9 and 1885-1910.  Powell was well known for his philanthropic activities, particularly with regards to education and housing, and was given the freedom of the Borough in 1895. Powell was present at the statue’s unveiling in 1910 (see picture) where the then current Mayor of Wigan, James O’Donahue told the crowd that this was only the second statue in Britain to be erected to a living man, and that he hoped the statue would inspire future generations to continue Powell’s legacy of public duties.

The Monument has been fully restored under the direction of Ian Bright