On a grey February day in 2014, with a Samsung Galaxy Tablet in hand, I captured a series of images of a statue in Halifax. This wasn't just any statue; it was a monument to a man whose legacy is etched into the very fabric of the town's social and architectural history: Edward Akroyd.
Born in 1810 in the Ovenden district of Halifax, Edward Akroyd was a textile manufacturer who inherited his father's business in 1847. But he was more than just an industrialist; he was a social reformer with a vision. Deeply concerned by the squalid living conditions of the Victorian era, he embarked on a mission to improve the lives of his workers.
A Model for a Better Life
Akroyd’s most enduring legacy is perhaps the model villages he built for his employees. These communities, Akroyden and Copley, were designed to be a testament to how housing conditions could be dramatically improved. These villages, with their thoughtfully laid-out streets and well-built homes, still stand today, a living reminder of his commitment to his workers' well-being.
His social consciousness didn't stop at housing. He was a pioneer in many other areas, responsible for the establishment of the first working men’s college outside of London, a local allotment society, and a school for child laborers. He even created a workers' pension scheme, a truly forward-thinking initiative for his time. A devout man, he also contributed to the construction of numerous Anglican churches around Halifax, including All Souls Church, which his statue now stands proudly outside of.
A Life of Service
Edward Akroyd's influence stretched far beyond social reform. He was a co-founder of the Yorkshire Penny Bank and the Halifax Building Society, and played a crucial role in bringing the railway to Halifax. He served his country as the Lieutenant Colonel of the 4th Yorkshire West Riding Rifle Volunteers and his community as a Member of Parliament for both Huddersfield and Halifax.
A Monument to a Man
The statue itself, a 9-foot bronze figure atop a 10-foot plinth, is a fitting tribute to his stature in the community. Sculpted by Ceccardo Egidio Fucigna and John Birnie Philip, it was unveiled on July 29, 1876, at North Bridge, before a crowd of 10,000 people. On each side of the plinth, bronze panels illustrate key moments from his life.
The panels tell their own stories: one depicts him as Lieutenant Colonel, directing his troops on horseback; another shows him addressing workers, a spade at his feet, symbolizing his role in improving their lives. Another panel is a detailed coat of arms with the motto "In Veritate Victoria" (In Truth, Victory), a motto that seems to embody his life's work.
Due to his failing health, Edward Akroyd eventually moved to St Leonards-on-sea, where he died in 1887. His funeral was a massive event, attended by over 15,000 mourners, a testament to the immense respect and affection he had earned. The statue itself was moved to its current location on October 28, 1901, to make way for the development of the North Bridge for trams, and it was given Grade II listed status on November 3, 1954, securing its place as a protected piece of local history.
Today, this statue stands not just as a likeness of a man, but as a symbol of the enduring impact one individual can have on a community. It's a reminder of a visionary who believed that prosperity should be shared, and that a better life was a right for all.
Clicking any of the images below should open a link in another window to my Colin Green Photography store on Zazzle.
 |
| This panel which can be seen on the plinth is to commemorate the statue being completed by the townspeople of Halifax. |
