John Wilkes statue

Image: © Richard Croft Taken: 9 Dec 2012

Marvellous statue by James Butler, of John Wilkes (1725-1797) on Fetter Lane, unveiled by Dr.James Cope in 1988. The remarkable Mr.Wilkes http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Wilkes http://ecti.english.illinois.edu/reviews/47/smitten-cash.html was a radical, politician, wit, rake, journalist, Lord Mayor of London, prankster and member of The Hellfire Club. He was repeatedly expelled from The House of Commons and even once declared an outlaw. He is described on the plinth as a "Champion of English freedom" though he was disparagingly known as "the ugliest man in England" by some .... 'he could woo any woman in competition with any man, provided he was given a month's start on account of his ugliness.' Reputedly, John Montagu, the 4th Earl of Sandwich said to Wilkes "Sir, I do not know whether you will die on the gallows or of the pox," Wilkes replied, "That depends, my lord, on whether I embrace your lordship's principles or your mistress." There's some discrepancy about Wilkes' year of birth … perhaps 1727 as on the plinth for his statue, or 1725 in The History of Parliament https://www.historyofparliamentonline.org/volume/1754-1790/member/wilkes-john-1725-97 and others. Whatever the year of his birth, he remains a most remarkable 'Champion of English Freedom'.

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