Beginnings

 

Date commissioned: 1887

Date erected: 1894rce)

Location: Georgetown, Guyana

Sculptor: Henry Richard Hope-Pinker

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Hisorical Background​

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Golden Jubilee of 1887

Golden Jubilee marked 50 years of rule as Queen

Would have had an earlier jubilee at the 25 year mark as well if it hadn't been for the untimely death of her husband

Diamond jubilee marked the 60 year anniversary in 1897

These were celebratory events involving a huge banquent, inviting other European heads of state , royal families, and diplomatic representatives. It was unofficially celebrated by both the Queen and her subjects even for weeks and months leading up to the event, with the official celebrations on the day anniversary. Yet it was largely a celebratory affair for the people of England and he wider British empire, symbolically a celebration for the Queen. Historically it has even been an occasion to grant official pardons to persons imprisoned for debts, which was offered on a very limited scale during this Jubilee. 

Although video of the event was not yet available in 1887, the Queen had a Diamond Jubilee in 1897 to celebrate her 60th year of rule, and for this I have included a video:

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Jubilee Primary Sources

My primary intent in including links to newspaper articles is to portray the overwhelmingly positive response to the Jubilee taken on by all the colonies and former colonies. There were of course exceptions (I include a protest by Irish-American citizens in Chicago who are displeased with he used of a public place for their city's celebratory banquet saying the celebration is in effect endorsing "tyranny" (and oppression?). Yet the overwhelming character of the newspaper articles in many nations in celebration of this event is greatly in fullest admiration and celebration and even great love for their Queen. The festivities taken around the world, as well as the carefully planned efforts to both host celebrations, send letters of speeches singing her praises during the Jubilee events to the Queen (eg from Boston, and how happy they sound to hear she has read and liked hearing about their enthusiastic words of her), and the carefully planned efforts to commission statues or other commemorative of the occasion of the Jubilee for posterity of the occasion shows the multi-level concern for, enthusiasm surrounding, as well as seriousness and respect surrounding, celebrating the Queen at Jubilee occasion. In Guyana I wondering what voices were marginalized in the reporting of a unanimous celebration and glorification of the Queen in the newspaper sources.  The political structure was still a British colony and the colonial rulers were primarily the British-appointed governor and remaining government positions taken up by the planter class. Prior to 1834 the end of slavery there had been a small class of freed formed slaves but did not hold government positions. With the end of slavery I am unclear on the timeline of any Afro-Guyanese being represented in government, but perhaps few. By the 1880's there was a black middle class (source) and by that time there were several other classes of people in Guyana including Chinese and Indian indentured servant. I will look into if newspapers of 1880's represented the voices of these groups and whether the descriptions included such as celebrations by schoolchildren were fully integrated groups of children, indicating the overall positive sentiment. I also include certain articles from US sources talking about why the Queen is actually so worthy of our praise in contrast to any who may find fault with any of her perceived misdeeds. This is not the norm of newspaper articles, as most did not mention any flaws and were fully celebratory. Learn more about all the newspapers celebrating their love for their Queen and whether they were representative of the Afro-Guyanese and also of the majority of people in Guyana at the time or whether it was segregated and this was the sentiment of the former planter class only.

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History of Guyana

It must also be mentioned Guyana was occupied by the British in 1814 during the Napoleonic Wars. Thus, I believe this was a factor in admiration and appreciation for British rule, with the understanding that if the French had won conditions under French would have been far worse. Perhaps they saw British as rescuing them from French rule. (Fact check this). Slavery was abolished in Guyana in 1834 just after the British Slavery Abolition Act of 1833. Specifically, this was only three years after Guyana was officially a British colony (1831) suggesting the British were much more supportive of ending slavery (Slave trade had been abolished in the empire in 1807) and this may be yet another reason British rule could have been viewed as being set free in contrast to previous colonial captors. Historically speaking, colonization of Guyana began as early as 1600s with the Dutch who began slavery there and that the country changed hands toward the turn of the 19th century several times between the Dutch, French and British. Guyana did not become autonomous until 1961 and were not independent from the British until 1966. (Source) 

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Commissioning the Statue

The statue was paid for by :

The following is a selection of quotes I chose from newspaper articles about commissioning the statue (see images above; selected quotes coming soon)

The overall story of commissioning the statue was in a process of several meetings by the committee (I believe open to the public?) on what way the Queen's Jubilee could be commemorated. Ideas included a park, a water fountain, or a statue. Initially the consensus was a statue was certainly too expensive so they could construct a park and/or a commemorative water fountain. Ultimately enough money was raised to pay for several jubilee celebrations, and also to pay to commission a statue.  The overall tone of the deliberations is very reverent toward their Queen and wishing to create the most desirable monument of her for the occasion.