From the archives: Nelson’s Column runs out of money, 1843-44

By Tom Lowe2023-03-31T06:40:00

The cash-strapped project to build the war hero’s memorial is set upon by hammer-wielding members of the public and receives an embarrassing donation from the Emperor of Russia

The monument which now stands at the geographical centre of London did not have a smooth start. First authorised by Parliament in 1816, no brick was layed for more than two decades. It then ran out of money, resulting in Emperor Nicholas I of Russia to step in and donate £500 in 1844 to get the job finished, a move which one parliamentarian described as ”extremely disgraceful to this country”.

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