Science Fair Project Encyclopedia
Duke of York Column
The Duke of York Column is a monument in London, England, to His Royal Highness Prince Frederick, Duke of York, the second eldest son of King George III. It is located off The Mall, to the west of Admiralty Arch. The column was chiseled from pink granite, and the statue created by Sir Richard Westmacott in 1834.
Prince Frederick, Duke of York was the commander-in-chief of the British Army during the French Revolutionary Wars. The Duke is remembered in the children's nursery rhyme, "The Grand Old Duke of York". When he died in 1827, the entire British Army had to forego one days wages in order to pay for a monument to the Duke. The column was started in 1833 and finished one year later.
The great height of the column (123 ft 6 in or 37.6 m) caused wits to suggest that the Duke was trying to escape his creditors, as the Duke died £2 million in debt.
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