Statue of James Shaw

The marble statue, in Kilmarnock, in memory of James Shaw was erected by public subscription, which raised almost £1000 to cover the cost. The statue, by sculptor James Fillans (1808-52), was unveiled on 4th August 1848 and was located at the Kilmarnock Cross [ [http://www.geo.ed.ac.uk/scotgaz/people/famousfirst1149.html Overview of Sir James Shaw ] ]

Sir James Shaw, rose from a humble position to that of Lord Mayor of London. He was born in the parish of Riccarton in 1764, and died in 1844. The statue was erected in 1848 [ [http://www.electricscotland.com/hiStory/kilmarnock/part1c1.htm Ramble Round Kilmarnock - Chapter 1 ] ] Para 7

The statue of Sir James Shaw was situated at Kilmarnock Cross from 1848 until 28th March 1929. On this date it was moved from the Cross to a new location in the area of the The Dick Institute just off London Road. It remains in this location today.The reason for the moving of the statue was due to the increase in traffic around the centre of the town. Today the Cross is home to another statue, of Robert Burns and John Wilson

From the History of Kilmarnock by Archibald McKay "The statue, as already said, is composed of marble from Carrara ; the pedestal is of the same material ; and the base is of Aberdeen granite. The height of the whole structure is about seventeen feet. The statue is a noble work of art, worthy of the creative genius of the sculptor, Mr. Fillans, and no less worthy of the venerable baronet whom it commemorates, and of whom, we believe, it is a faithful likeness. In symmetry of form it is truly admirable. The mild, benevolent features of Sir James are finely developed ; and, as a whole, it is replete with that seeming animation and intellectual expression which mark the superior powers of the sculptor, and give to the object itself a high and permanent interest. As one of the London journalists remarked at the time of its erection — "It is a classic work," in which the ideal has imparted to the reality the grace and dignity befitting a civic magistrate, and an honest public servant. His robes of office hang as gracefully as the toga of the Roman ; nor does the costume of modern times debar the artist from setting forth the manly developments of a Scot, who stood six feet three inches from his mother earth"." [http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=5R8NAAAAYAAJ&printsec=frontcover&dq=the+history+of+kilmarnock#PPA213,M1] Page 214

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