Charles Dickens Statue – Sydney, Australia - Atlas Obscura
Places near me Random place

Charles Dickens Statue

Sydney, Australia

This rare effigy of the author spent years lost in storage. 

View all photos
The restored Charles Dickens statue. Sardaka/cc by-sa 4.0
The restored Charles Dickens statue. Sardaka/cc by-sa 4.0
92
146
Top Places in Sydney
Royal Botanic Gardens
Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney
Sydney, Australia
'Forgotten Songs' Sound Sculpture
Sydney, Australia
Aboriginal Carving of a Whale
Sydney, Australia
 See All

Charles Dickens is one of the most celebrated authors of all time, yet only three statues have ever been created in his image. The author himself requested in his will that no public monuments be erected in his honor, as he preferred the idea of being remembered only through his work.

Dickens certainly got part of his wish. His books are some of the most widely read there are, and he remains as popular today as he was during his life.

This particular sculpture’s origins are not known for sure, but it is believed that it was created by Job Hanson sometime around 1891. Originally, the statue was acquired to stand among other famous figures to decorate the new parklands. 

But in 1972, after a long stint on display, the artwork was put into storage and forgotten about. After multiple enquires over many years by Dickens enthusiasts, and even a great-grandson of the author, the statue was located in the storage of Sydney’s Royal Botanic Gardens in 2007.

After some much needed TLC, the Dickens statue was restored, which included the reconstruction of his head, among other things. The newly restored statue was unveiled in 2011 on what would have been Dickens’ 199th birthday. Each year on his birthday, the NSW Dickens Society gather at the statue and enjoy cake in his honor.

charles dickens writers authors parks monuments statues
Nearby
Paddington Reservoir Gardens
1.08 miles
Museum of Human Disease
1.31 miles
Waverley Cemetery
1.70 miles
Want to see fewer ads? Become a Member.
Near This Place
Sydney, Australia

Paddington Reservoir Gardens

A former drinking water storage reservoir transformed into a sunken garden.
Sydney, Australia

Museum of Human Disease

Australian museum dedicated to human health and lack thereof.
Waverley Cemetery
Sydney, Australia

Waverley Cemetery

A self-funded cemetery with a long list of inhabitants.
Regent Street railway station.
Sydney, Australia

Mortuary Station

A special train service transported Sydney's dead from this station to "Necropolis Receiving Houses" at Rookwood Cemetery.
Related Places
“The ultimate tragedy is not the oppression and cruelty by the bad people, but the silence over that by the good people.”
Amsterdam, Netherlands

Martin Luther King Park Statue

This bronze statue of Martin Luther King was placed in the park without permission.
The statue in situ in West Philadelphia's Clark Park.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Dickens and Little Nell

The oldest of only three existing statues of the great novelist stands in a city he did not care for.
Grahovo Memorial Park.
Grahovo, Montenegro

Grahovo Memorial Park

This memorial to local World War II heroes is slowly being reclaimed by nature.
The monument to Alexander Von Humboldt.
Mexico City, Mexico

Alexander Von Humboldt Monument

A bronze statue of the famed Prussian naturalist commemorates the year he spent in Mexico.
In partnership with KAYAK

Plan Your Trip

From Around the Web