'Half Sunk a Shattered Visage Lies’: Understanding the Statues of London
Explore the public statues and memorials that shape our cityscape. Discover who they commemorate, why they were celebrated, and how debates over memory, history and identity have reshaped attitudes to monuments today.
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This walking course examines London’s statues, memorials, and civic monuments: the individuals they honour, the values they once embodied, and the controversies that now surround some of them. Public statues were often erected to celebrate figures previous generations admired: politicians, soldiers, philanthropists, imperialists, artists, and reformers. Today many of these figures are being reconsidered, re-interpreted, or challenged.
Across central London we explore who these people were, the world in which they lived, and why communities chose to elevate them in stone and bronze. We also investigate how modern debates (such as those sparked by the 2020 toppling of Edward Colston’s statue in Bristol) have transformed the national conversation about public commemoration, heritage, and historical accountability.
The course combines historical context, biographical storytelling, urban exploration and critical reflection to understand how societies remember - and sometimes choose to forget.
What will we cover?
The origins and purposes of public statues: celebration, civic pride, moral instruction, political messaging.
The individuals commemorated in London’s monuments: heroes, reformers, empire-builders, philanthropists and their legacies.
Memorial culture and the politics of remembrance.
Controversial statues and the ‘retain, remove or reinterpret?’ debate.
How public memory changes over time: historical shifting of reputations.
The impact of protest movements, public petitions, academic research, and community activism on commemoration.
Modern approaches to contextualisation, reinterpretation, and museum display.
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
Identify major statues and memorials in central London and explain who they commemorate.
Describe the historical context in which these monuments were erected.
Analyse why certain individuals were once celebrated and why their reputations have since changed.
Understand competing arguments about removing, retaining, or re-contextualising contested monuments.
Critically assess how societies use public art to construct memory, identity and values.
Discuss how memorial culture evolves and how communities negotiate remembrance.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
Introductory - an interest in the topic and a willingness to engage with the tutor and follow their health and safety guidance when out and about are the only requirements.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
Guided walks. Optional reading to further your knowledge.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
No other costs. Please wear suitable clothing/footwear for the guided tours.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
Stephen runs a number of walks across the academic year. Please see our London Walks area for further details.
Dr Stephen Goss is a former lecturer in history at Queen’s University Belfast. A published academic, his area of focus is 19th and 20th Century British, Irish and European history, specialising in the Cold War. Previously a Life-long Learning Lecturer at Stranmillis University College, he is now an Expert Tour Guide at the Imperial War Museum and Churchill War Rooms, and has been a popular speaker in museums, historical societies, u3a, Probus, and the Women's Institute for over fifteen years. Stephen has also conducted policy and research for Campaign for Better Transport and writes regularly for a leading independent news and analysis site on Northern Irish current affairs.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
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https://www.citylit.ac.uk/half-sunk-a-shattered-visage-lies-understanding-the-statues-of-london3037000'Half Sunk a Shattered Visage Lies’: Understanding the Statues of Londonhttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/category/history-epidemics-HHS06-1024.jpg249249GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/History/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/History/London history & walks22851177117811841228511771178<p>Explore the public statues and memorials that shape our cityscape. Discover who they commemorate, why they were celebrated, and how debates over memory, history and identity have reshaped attitudes to monuments today.</p>003036985'Half Sunk a Shattered Visage Lies’: Understanding the Statues of London249249https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/category/history-epidemics-HHS06-1024.jpgInStockDaytimeTueOff SiteAvailable courses5-10 weeksWeekday2026-09-22T00:00:00+00:00Beginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allSep 2026Culture, history & humanitiesHLW302249249'Half Sunk a Shattered Visage Lies’: Understanding the Statues of London199162249Stephen Gosshalf-sunk-a-shattered-visage-lies-understanding-the-statues-of-london/hlw302-2627<p>Explore the public statues and memorials that shape our cityscape. Discover who they commemorate, why they were celebrated, and how debates over memory, history and identity have reshaped attitudes to monuments today.</p>0000-Available|2026-09-22 00:00:00<p>This walking course examines London’s statues, memorials, and civic monuments: the individuals they honour, the values they once embodied, and the controversies that now surround some of them. Public statues were often erected to celebrate figures previous generations admired: politicians, soldiers, philanthropists, imperialists, artists, and reformers. Today many of these figures are being reconsidered, re-interpreted, or challenged.</p><p>Across central London we explore who these people were, the world in which they lived, and why communities chose to elevate them in stone and bronze. We also investigate how modern debates (such as those sparked by the 2020 toppling of Edward Colston’s statue in Bristol) have transformed the national conversation about public commemoration, heritage, and historical accountability.</p><p>The course combines historical context, biographical storytelling, urban exploration and critical reflection to understand how societies remember - and sometimes choose to forget.</p><p>Explore the public statues and memorials that shape our cityscape. Discover who they commemorate, why they were celebrated, and how debates over memory, history and identity have reshaped attitudes to monuments today.</p><ul><li>The origins and purposes of public statues: celebration, civic pride, moral instruction, political messaging.</li><li>The individuals commemorated in London’s monuments: heroes, reformers, empire-builders, philanthropists and their legacies.</li><li>Memorial culture and the politics of remembrance.</li><li>Controversial statues and the ‘retain, remove or reinterpret?’ debate.</li><li>How public memory changes over time: historical shifting of reputations.</li><li>The impact of protest movements, public petitions, academic research, and community activism on commemoration.</li><li>Modern approaches to contextualisation, reinterpretation, and museum display.</li></ul><p></p><ul><li>Identify major statues and memorials in central London and explain who they commemorate.</li><li>Describe the historical context in which these monuments were erected.</li><li>Analyse why certain individuals were once celebrated and why their reputations have since changed.</li><li>Understand competing arguments about removing, retaining, or re-contextualising contested monuments.</li><li>Critically assess how societies use public art to construct memory, identity and values.</li><li>Discuss how memorial culture evolves and how communities negotiate remembrance.</li></ul><p></p><p>Introductory - an interest in the topic and a willingness to engage with the tutor and follow their health and safety guidance when out and about are the only requirements.</p><p>Guided walks. Optional reading to further your knowledge.</p><p>No other costs. Please wear suitable clothing/footwear for the guided tours.</p><p>Stephen runs a number of walks across the academic year. Please see our London Walks area for further details.</p>HistoryLondon history & walksvirtual199249162HLW302NONETue22/09/26 - 10/11/2611:00 - 13:0011:0013:008 sessions (over 8 weeks)85-10 weeksDaytimeWeekdayOSOff SiteStephen GossBeginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allAvailable courses2026-09-22T00:00:00+00:00Sep 2026Culture, history & humanities249249'Half Sunk a Shattered Visage Lies’: Understanding the Statues of Londonhalf-sunk-a-shattered-visage-lies-understanding-the-statues-of-london/hlw302-2627<p>Explore the public statues and memorials that shape our cityscape. Discover who they commemorate, why they were celebrated, and how debates over memory, history and identity have reshaped attitudes to monuments today.</p>0000-Available|2026-09-22 00:00:00<p>This walking course examines London’s statues, memorials, and civic monuments: the individuals they honour, the values they once embodied, and the controversies that now surround some of them. Public statues were often erected to celebrate figures previous generations admired: politicians, soldiers, philanthropists, imperialists, artists, and reformers. Today many of these figures are being reconsidered, re-interpreted, or challenged.</p><p>Across central London we explore who these people were, the world in which they lived, and why communities chose to elevate them in stone and bronze. We also investigate how modern debates (such as those sparked by the 2020 toppling of Edward Colston’s statue in Bristol) have transformed the national conversation about public commemoration, heritage, and historical accountability.</p><p>The course combines historical context, biographical storytelling, urban exploration and critical reflection to understand how societies remember - and sometimes choose to forget.</p><p>Explore the public statues and memorials that shape our cityscape. Discover who they commemorate, why they were celebrated, and how debates over memory, history and identity have reshaped attitudes to monuments today.</p><ul><li>The origins and purposes of public statues: celebration, civic pride, moral instruction, political messaging.</li><li>The individuals commemorated in London’s monuments: heroes, reformers, empire-builders, philanthropists and their legacies.</li><li>Memorial culture and the politics of remembrance.</li><li>Controversial statues and the ‘retain, remove or reinterpret?’ debate.</li><li>How public memory changes over time: historical shifting of reputations.</li><li>The impact of protest movements, public petitions, academic research, and community activism on commemoration.</li><li>Modern approaches to contextualisation, reinterpretation, and museum display.</li></ul><p></p><ul><li>Identify major statues and memorials in central London and explain who they commemorate.</li><li>Describe the historical context in which these monuments were erected.</li><li>Analyse why certain individuals were once celebrated and why their reputations have since changed.</li><li>Understand competing arguments about removing, retaining, or re-contextualising contested monuments.</li><li>Critically assess how societies use public art to construct memory, identity and values.</li><li>Discuss how memorial culture evolves and how communities negotiate remembrance.</li></ul><p></p><p>Introductory - an interest in the topic and a willingness to engage with the tutor and follow their health and safety guidance when out and about are the only requirements.</p><p>Guided walks. Optional reading to further your knowledge.</p><p>No other costs. Please wear suitable clothing/footwear for the guided tours.</p><p>Stephen runs a number of walks across the academic year. Please see our London Walks area for further details.</p>HistoryLondon history & walksconfigurable
11841178London history & walkshttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/humanities/history/london-history-and-walks1/2/285/1177/1178/11841/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/History/London history & walks
