Francis Williamson

Day 26- blue plaque in Esher for Francis John Williamson a sculptor. 1833-1920. I did not know of him before! He exhibited at the Royal Academy 38 times from 1853-1897. He met Queen Victoria who commissioned a memorial to George IVs daughter Princess Charlotte and her husband Leopold which was erected in their former home Claremont and subsequently moved to St George’s Church, Esher. In 1887 he sculpted the Golden jubilee bust of Queen Victoria which was replicated for display around the British Empire.
He met his wife while staying in Esher, they married in 1857 and in 1860 set up a home and a studio at 79 The High Street , Esher. See extras

Tasks today
- cycle ride ..Esher loop including checking Garsons Farm food shop which is open and will prepare deliveries
- Waitrose delivery so we then took some food to daughters family plus birthday present for son in law.
- set up plastic ‘greenhouse’ for seedlings and plug plants at night