How you can use this image
This image is available to be shared and re-used under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial licence (CC BY-NC).
This image can be reproduced in any way apart from any commercial uses.
Wherever you reproduce the image or an altered version of it, you must attribute the original creators (acknowledge the original artist(s), the person/organisation that took the photograph of the work) and any other stated rights holders.
Review our guidance pages which explain how you can reuse images, how to credit an image and how to find more images in the public domain or with a Creative Commons licence available.
DownloadNotes
Add or edit a note on this artwork that only you can see. You can find notes again by going to the ‘Notes’ section of your account.
Title
The Shakespeare Memorial Fountain (American Fountain)
Date
1886–1887
Medium
Yorkshire stone & Peterhead granite
Measurements
H 1800 x W (?) x D (?) cm
Accession number
CV37_JB_S001
Acquisition method
gifted by the American publisher George William Childs
Work type
Clock tower
Owner
Stratford-on-Avon District Council
Custodian
Stratford-on-Avon District Council
Work status
extant
Listing status
Grade II* (England and Wales)
Unveiling date
17th October 1887
Listing date
25/10/51
Access
at all times
Inscription description
the base of the memorial bears the following inscriptions – south side, serif, centralised: 'THE GIFT OF AN AMERICAN CITIZEN / GEORGE W. CHILDS. OF PHILADELPHIA / TO THE TOWN OF SHAKESPEARE, / IN THE JUBILEE YEAR OF QUEEN VICTORIA'; east side, serif, centralised: 'IN HER DAYS, EVERY MAN SHALL EAT IN SAFETY / UNDER HIS OWN VINE, WHAT HE PLANTS; AND SING / THE MERRY SONGS OF PEACE TO ALL HIS NEIGHBOURS. / GOD SHALL BE TRULY KNOWN; AND THOSE ABOUT HER / FROM HER SHALL READ THE PERFECT WAYS OF HONOUR, / AND BY THOSE CLAIM THEM GREATNESS, NOT BY BLOOD" / HENRY VIII, ACT., SCENE IV'; north face, serif, centralised: 'HONEST WATER / WHICH NE'ER LEFT MAN I THE MIRE'; north east buttress: 'THIS STONE WAS LAID BY LADY HODGSON / JUNE 20TH, 1887 / ARTHUR HODGSON K.C.M.G. / MAYOR.'; north west buttress: 'THIS FOUNTAIN WAS UNVEILED BY / HENRY IRVING / 17TH OCTOBER 1887'; west side, serif, centralised: 'TEN THOUSAND HONOURS AND BLESSINGS / ON THE BARD / WHO HAS GUILDED THE DULL REALITIES OF LIFE / WITH INNOCENT ILLUSIONS' / WASHINGTON IRVING'S 'STRATFORD-ON-AVON'
