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Adam Brown

I have to admit I’d never heard of Alexander Handyside Ritchie before today but after looking around on the internet I realise I know of his work from walking through the centre of Edinburgh.

He was born in Musselburgh in 1804, the son of a brick-maker. He attended the School of Arts in Edinburgh before continuing his studies in Rome in his twenties.

When he returned to Scotland he opened a studio on Princes Street in Edinburgh.

He did a great deal of work on buildings in the centre of Edinburgh and his classical sculptures are on the Royal College of Physicians on Queen Street; the old Commercial Bank of Scotland head office on George Street; along the parapet of the old British Linen Bank Head Office in St Andrew Square; the sundial on John Knox’s house on the Royal Mile and a few figures on the Scott Monument.

Apart from building sculpture he also did public statues. Two of Walter Scott, one in Glasgow, the other in Selkirk; the Hugh Miller Monument in Cromarty; John Knox in Stirling and Sir William Wallace in Lanark.

Apart from these large public works he did many private commissions for busts and for gravestones.

Adam
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Adam Brown · Posted: Sun Feb 15, 2009 2:06 am Post subject:

The former British Linen Bank Head Office in St Andrew Square, Edinburgh

And Ritchie's statues on the parapet.

And the former Commercial Bank of Scotland Head Office on George Street, Edinburgh

With Ritchie's statues in the pediment

All these photographs were taken as a reminder for me to go back with a better camera but until I do they'll have to do.

Adam
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Scottish War Memorials Project
Scottish War Graves Project

apanderson · Forum Moderator Joined: 25 Nov 2008 Posts: 28

John Henry Alexander Monument, Glasgow Necropolis.

From Glasgow Necropolis Heritage Trail

"An actor, owner and manager of the Theatre Royal in Dunlop Street - uniquely split into two sections so that comedy and tragedy could be played at the same time. One night in 1849, 65 people were killed in a crush caused by someone falsely shouting ‘fire’, Mr Alexander is said to have roared himself hoarse trying to prevent the disaster and never recovered, as he died shortly after.

Sculpted by Handyside Ritchie, the plan is of a Saltire topped with a circular temple. Robert Forrest was originally commissioned as sculptor but it was transferred to Hamilton after his own untimely death. The front section is an elaborate proscenium stage, with footlights, and the figures of tragedy and comedy complete with laurel wreath all representing Alexander’s final curtain call."

All the rest of his family's details are listed on the back of the monument.

Adam Brown · Posted: Sun Mar 22, 2009 11:20 pm Post subject:

A stage on a gravestone!

Thanks Anne.

Adam
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Scottish War Memorials Project
Scottish War Graves Project

Adam Brown · Posted: Sun Jun 21, 2009 8:38 pm Post subject:

Here's a monument by Handyside Ritchie on the wall of St Cuthbert's Kirk in Edinburgh's West End of the Reverend David Dickson.

More images can be seen here

I've also posted some close-ups of the statues on the British Linen Bank. They can be seen here

Adam
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Scottish War Memorials Project
Scottish War Graves Project