- CountryUK
- Town:Glasgow
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Year of creation:1844
- Rider(s):Wellington, Duke of
Arthur Wellesley (1769–1852), better known as The Duke of Wellington, rose to prominence as a general during the peninsular campaign of the Napoleonic Wars, and was promoted to the rank of Field Marshal after leading the allied forces to victory against the French at the Battle of Vitoria in 1813. At the age of 44, he was the youngest officer ever to earn this rank. In 1815, he commanded the allied armies, defeating Napoleon at the Battle of Waterloo. He was prime minister twice, and continued as one of the leading figures in the House of Lords until his retirement. He remained Commander-in-Chief of the British Army until his death in 1852.
- Sculptor(s):Marochetti, Carlo
As the creator of seven equestrian statues, Carlo Marochetti (1805–1867) was one of the most productive sculptors. He was born in Turin (Italy), brought up in Paris and studied in Rome. He remained in France until 1848, and then moved to London. Marochetti was not only a very productive artist, but also a gifted one. He created some marvellous equestrian statues.
Capping the beautiful statue of Wellington in Glasgow (by Marochetti) with a traffic cone has become a traditional practice in this city, claimed to represent the sense of humour of the local population.
