Statue of Charles James Fox
Directions
From the piazza, walk towards the northern end of the square, exit, and walk round to the statue of Charles James Fox.
Description
Charles James Fox (1749-1806), whose statue stands at the north end of the square, was a leading Whig politician in the late 18th century. His statue, by Sir Richard Westmacott, faces that of the fifth Duke of Bedford, also by Westmacott, along Bedford Place.
Fox and the Duke were both Whigs, and were political allies as well as great friends. Both were part of the glittering Devonshire set, the leading social clique of the day, which centred around the highly- fashionable Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire. The Duke declined to join in with the excessive gambling which his friends enjoyed, but he helped to pay Fox's considerable gambling debts, and left him £5000 in his will.
