Edinburgh, North Charlotte Street, Catherine Sinclair Monument
Commemorative Monument (19th Century)
Site Name Edinburgh, North Charlotte Street, Catherine Sinclair Monument
Classification Commemorative Monument (19th Century)
Alternative Name(s) Queen Street; St Colme Street
Canmore ID 114128
Site Number NT27SW 481
NGR NT 24691 74010
Datum OSGB36 - NGR
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/site/114128
- Council Edinburgh, City Of
- Parish Edinburgh (Edinburgh, City Of)
- Former Region Lothian
- Former District City Of Edinburgh
- Former County Midlothian
NT27SW 481 24691 74010
Architect: David Bryce
See NMRS Historical File under 'Catherine Sinclair, Monument to' - 2 pages of notes including inscription.
EXTERNAL REFERENCE:
Public Library Ref. April 1865 David Bryce
1 Watercolour
(Undated) information in NMRS.
Project (1997)
The Public Monuments and Sculpture Association (http://www.pmsa.org.uk/) set up a National Recording Project in 1997 with the aim of making a survey of public monuments and sculpture in Britain ranging from medieval monuments to the most contemporary works. Information from the Edinburgh project was added to the RCAHMS database in October 2010 and again in 2012.
The PMSA (Public Monuments and Sculpture Association) Edinburgh Sculpture Project has been supported by Eastern Photocolour, Edinburgh College of Art, the Edinburgh World Heritage Trust, Historic Scotland, the Hope Scott Trust, The Old Edinburgh Club, the Pilgrim Trust, the RCAHMS, and the Scottish Archive Network.
Field Visit (29 May 2002)
A Gothic Eleanor cross of six sides. In triangular gables above the niches of the second level are (starting above inscription panel on east side) : (1) C S (entwined), (2) a cross with a crown above it and foliage behind, (3) 1867 (entwined), (4) a flaming [?] heart [?] and upturned cornucopia, (5) C S (entwined), (6) an anchor with rope in a wreath. At the third level are six water spouts in the shape of mythical beasts.
The monument was designed by David Bryce, John Rhind was the contractor for its erection. It was paid for by public subscription.
Catherine Sinclair (1800-1864), novelist and philanthropist, daughter of Sir John Sinclair of Ulbster editor of the First Statistical Account of Scotland.
Inspected By : T. S.
Inscriptions : On east side of monument at its base (incised letters): CATHERINE SINCLAIR / BORN 17 APRIL 1800 / DIED 6 AUGUST 1864
Below name and dates, in Gothic script (incised letters):
She was the friend of all children and through / her book Holiday House speaks to them still.
Besides success in her writings which were / many and popular, she was an early pioneer / in philanthropy. her Volunteer Brigade for / the boys of Leith was the first of its kind. / She initiated Cooking Depots for working / men, and erected the first Drinking Fountain / in Edinburgh. her Hall for lectures and her / work amongst cabmen, endeared her name / to different sections of her fellow citizens. / This monument was raised by some of her many / friends, the inscription except the name and dates / was added in 1901 by her affectionate nephew / Sir Tollemache Sinclair Bart / of Ulbster Caithness-Shire.
Signatures : None Visible
Design period : 1866-1868 (Memorial) / 1901 (added inscription)
Information from Public Monuments and Sculpture Association (PMSA Work Ref : EDIN1029)
