Statue of Aneurin Bevan, 1897-1960,Founder of the National Health Service NHS, by Robert Thomas, Queen Street, Cardiff, Wales, UK,CF10 2BU
Image details
Contributor:
Tony Smith / Alamy Stock PhotoImage ID:
2RFER1HFile size:
51.8 MB (2.4 MB Compressed download)Releases:
Model - no | Property - noDo I need a release?Dimensions:
3648 x 4960 px | 30.9 x 42 cm | 12.2 x 16.5 inches | 300dpiDate taken:
1 August 2023Location:
Queen Street, Cardiff, Wales, UK,CF10 2BUMore information:
A statue of Aneurin Bevan stands at the western end of Queen Street, Cardiff, Wales in recognition of Aneurin Bevan (1897 – 1960) who is credited with founding the National Health Service (NHS). It has been described as "perhaps one of Wales' most iconic statues" Aneurin "Nye" Bevan PC (15 November 1897 – 6 July 1960) was a Welsh Labour Party politician, noted for tenure as Minister of Health in Clement Attlee's government in which he spearheaded the creation of the British National Health Service. He is also known for his wider contribution to the founding of the British welfare state. Bevan is widely regarded as one of the most influential left-wing politicians in British history. The statue was erected in 1987, designed by Robert Thomas. Bevan became Labour MP for Ebbw Vale in 1929, subsequently an effective public speaker known for his left wing views and being temporarily expelled from the party on two occasions (one of them for his opposition to nuclear weapons). He was elected to the Labour's National Executive and became Minister for Health in the post-war Labour government, where he was behind the nationalisation of healthcare and founding of the NHS. As Minister for Housing he took steps to solve the post-war housing shortage. Bevan remained MP for Tredegar until his death in 1960. The statue was commissioned by South Glamorgan County Council and designed by Welsh sculptor, Robert Thomas, who also created a number of other sculptures in Cardiff city centre. The statue was erected in 1987 at the far end of Queen Street. It is the only statue of Bevan (as of 2021) in the United Kingdom. The figure of Bevan, wearing a suit and leaning forward in a typical pose, is cast in bronze and stands on top of a polished granite pedestal. The statue is 1.83 metres (6.0 ft) in height, while the pedestal is 2.14 metres (7.0 ft) high. In gold on the front of the pedestal are the words "Founder of the National Health Service".