Four Famous Derbeians on Exeter Bridge
Location - Exeter Bridge, Derwent Street
Artist - unknown.
Architect - Charles Arthur Clews
Four head and shoulders portraits of famous Derby people are to be found on Exeter Bridge, on the columns at the 'four corners'. They are bas relief sculptures - a method of sculpturing in which the raised portions do not stand out with any prominence.
The Exeter Bridge we see today is part of the 1929 County Borough of Derby Central Improvement Scheme. Other parts of that scheme are
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the former Magistrate's Courts building on the Derwent Street / Full Street corner
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the Council House
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the river terracing and flood defence walls
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and the Markeaton Brook outfall.
The overall design, by Borough Architect CH Aslin, gives an architectural unity to this part of the city centre.
Our commentary is from Brian Blissett, Chair of the Heritage Group of Derby Arts Forum.
'I worked in Stuart Street for several years during the 1990s. Life was busy and I drove daily across Exeter Bridge on Derwent Street. Several times a week I rushed on foot across the bridge into the Market Square to grab a sandwich for lunch, or to visit the Council House for a meeting with City Council colleagues. Did I ever stop to look at the bridge? Of course not! Life was too busy; time too precious!
Now I'm retired I have a little more time-enough to stop and look around me, to examine the many fine old buildings and structures which illustrate Derby's rich history, a history which we either ignore or take for granted.
Exeter Bridge was rebuilt in 1929-31 and opened by the Rt Hon Herbert Morrison MP, PC. But that's not all. The next time you walk across, stop and look at the four plaques celebrating the lives of four famous Derby men: Erasmus Darwin, Herbert Spencer, William Hutton and John Lombe. Let's look at each of these in chronological order.
John Lombe 1693-1722
The founder of the Silk Mill and pioneer in the manufacture of silk. The Silk Mill was one of England's first modern factories and now as the Silk Mill Museum is the gateway to the Derwent Valley World Heritage Site.
William Hutton 1723-1815
Born at Bridge Gate and worked at the Silk Mill as a child before becoming a bookbinder and bookseller. Hutton wrote the first published history of Derby in 1791. A radical and a Dissenter he was badly affected by the 1791 riots in Birmingham.
Erasmus Darwin 1731-1802
Physician, botanist and poet, Darwin lived in Derby for the last 20 years of his life, dying at Breadsall Priory. Like Hutton he was a radical thinker, supporting the American Revolution, and he re-established the Derby Philosophical Society with John Whitehurst, the famous clockmaker and geologist.
Herbert Spencer 1820-1903
Born in Exeter Street, and continuing the great tradition of eminent thinkers from Derby, Spencer was perhaps the greatest philosopher of his time and the originator of the new science of sociology.
So the next time you walk across Exeter Bridge or drive across the bridge down Derwent Street, stop (physically or mentally) and think about the rich tradition which makes up the character of Derby and its people. Tell your friends about it and celebrate Derby's heritage!'
The Derby Public Art Strategy sets the scene for future public artworks in the city.
For further information please contact the Built Environment Team:
Telephone 01332 255060 Minicom 01332 256666 Fax 01332 255989 e-mail urban.design@derby.gov.uk