An ensemble featuring 26 bronze figures by C. J. Allen was designed by F. M. Simpson of the Liverpool School of Architecture, and the local architectural firm of Willink and Thicknesse and built of Portland stone.
The monument was unveiled on 27 September 1906. It is a Grade II Listed structure, a preservation category for structures of special public interest. In the Liverpool volume of the Pevsner Architectural Guides, the work is dexcribed as Allen's greatest, and as one of the most ambitious monuments to Queen Victoria. There are four groups of figures around the pedestal, representing agriculture, commerce, industry and education. A large (4.42 metres) statue of Queen Victoria is at the center, centered in four groups of columns which support a baldacchino-like open dome. Atop the column groups are four allegorical figures representing justice, wisdom, charity, and peace. Atop the dome itself is a large figure representing fame.
The figures representing militant colonial exploitation, class warfare, racism and the Irish diaspora are yet to be installed.
Taken in 1942, this panoramic photograph shows the monument surviving amidst the ruins of the Liverpool Blitz.
Another take on the statue of Victoria is the Liver-politan view, always subversive, always perceptive, always guaranteed to makes you smile.
I don't think she would have been amused.
"Victoria" is a song written by Ray Davies of the Kinks. It is the opening track on the band's 1969 concept album Arthur (Or the Decline and Fall of the British Empire).
In Ray Davies' satirical style, the lyrics juxtapose the grim realities of life in Britain during the 19th century with the paternalist aspirations of the British Empire in the Victorian age, and expresses the simple adulation of queen and country by the downtrodden working class.
Long ago life was clean
Sex was bad, called obscene
And the rich were so mean
Stately homes for the Lords
Croquet lawns, village greens
Victoria was my queen
Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, 'toria
I was born, lucky me
In a land that I love
Though I am poor, I am free
When I grow I shall fight
For this land I shall die
Let her sun never set
Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, 'toria
Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, 'toria
Land of hope and gloria
Land of my Victoria
Land of hope and gloria
Land of my Victoria
Victoria, 'toria
Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, 'toria
Canada to India
Australia to Cornwall
Singapore to Hong Kong
From the West to the East
From the rich to the poor
Victoria loved them all
Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, 'toria
Victoria, Victoria, Victoria
Songwriters: Raymond Douglas Davies
Victoria lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc
The production begins with a simple heavy rock electric blues guitar riff, carried through each verse and chorus, while the "Land of hope and gloria" bridge and raucous background vocals from Dave Davies build to an exultant climax of brass.
