Sculpture dedicated to Norborne Berkeley, Lord Botetourt

Item

Legacies Classification
Memorial Artwork
Memorial Type
Sculptural Memorial
Memorial Context
Enslaver
Memorialized Subject
Berkeley, Norborne
Title
Sculpture dedicated to Norborne Berkeley, Lord Botetourt
Background and Context
Completed in 1773, this statue was originally located in front of the Capitol Building, then it was moved to the Wren yard in front of the Wren Building in 1801 when W&M purchased it. Although the original statue still exists, a replica is now in front of the Wren Building. A bronze replica by Gordon Kray, class of 1973, was made and installed in the Wren Yard in 1993. The original statue, which is damaged and needed protection from the elements, was moved to the basement of Swem Library in 1966, right after Swem Library was constructed.

Norborne Berkeley, 4th Baron Botetourt (1718 - October 15, 1770) was governor of the colony of Virginia from 1768 to 1770, and he also served as a member of the William & Mary Board of Visitors. Virginians loved him so much that they constructed one of the earliest examples of a public monument in the colonies, and later country. Lord Botetourt was an enslaver. He is buried in the Wren Building chapel's crypt.
Physical Description
The original statue is made of marble, weighs 200 pounds, and features a "figure clothed in court dress of the times, standing in the manner of an orator with his right hand holding a rolled parchment." The sculptor used a wax medallion of Lord Botetourt as a model. The base of the statue features a four-sided inscription.

The replica is made from bronze. The original was too deteriorated to serve as a mold for the new statue. Sculptor Gordon Kray created a new statue cast in bronze, based on what was left of the original statue and extant portraits of the royal governor.
Memorial Inscription
The Right Honourable Norborne Berkeley Baron de Botetourt His Majesty's Late lieutenant; and Governor General of the Colony and Dominion of Virginia. (Resurge Rege Favente)

America! Behold your friend Who, leaving his native country, Declin'd those additional honours, which Were there in store for him, that He might heal your wounds, and restore Tranquility and happiness to this Extensive continent; with what zeal And anxiety he pursued these glorious Objects, Virginia, thus bears her Gratefull testimony.

Richard Hayward London MDCCXXIII

Deeply impressed with the warmest sense Of gratitude for His Excellence the Right Honble Lord Botetourt's prudent And wise administration, and that the Remembrance of those many public and Social virtues, which so eminently Adorned his illustrious character might Be transmitted to latest posterity, The General Assembly of Virginia On the XX day of July Ann. Dom. MDCCLXXI Resolved with one united voice to erect This statue to His Lordship's memory.

Let wisdom and justice preside in any county; The people will rejoice and must be happy.
Creator/Participating Person(s)
Hayward, Richard
Kray, Gordon
Date created, installed or dedicated
1773
Date Modified
1966
1993
Historical Period
1945-1976: Era of Civil Rights Movement and resistance to Civil Rights Movement
1976-2000: The Conservative Ascendancy and Retrenchment from Civil Rights Movement
Funded by
original was funded by public expense; replica was funded by William & Mary
Location: Institution, City, State
William & Mary; Williamsburg, Virginia
Learn More About this Subject
Lord Botetourt Statue, Constructed 1770- 1773
Norborne Berkeley, 4th Baron de Botetourt (1718-1770)
Tags
Altered - Destroyed
Altered - Moved

Position: 1094 (69 views)