Esher Residents Association Blue Plaque Scheme - Current Status

Francis J. Williamson - "The Grapes":

The first Blue Plaque has now been awarded and was presented by the Mayor of Elmbridge at the ERA Silver Salver Supper (October, 2010).The Plaque can be seen affixed to the wall of "The Grapes" in Esher High Street, recently renovated by the recipients, Robert Allvey and Sophie Histon.

The Mayor of Elmbridge presenting the first Blue Plaque to Robert Allvey (center) with the instigator of the Blue Plaque Scheme, Peter Hills (right)

The Plaque attached to "The Grapes" on Esher High Street.

Francis John Williamson 1833-1920 Sculptor and Artist

Francis Williamson was reputed to be Queen Victoria’s favourite sculptor. He moved to Fairholme – later named “The Bunch of Grapes” (now known as The Grapes) in the High Street, Esher and he lived there for more than 60 years.

He was born in Camden Town, related on his mother’s side to Admiral Nelson, educated in private school at Hampstead where he decided he wanted to become a Sculptor.

John Bell, a famous sculptor of his day noticed Williamson and took him on as a student within Somerset House; this was the home of the Royal Society at the time. Whilst there, he was introduced to John Henry Foley, a famous sculptor of his day. Williamson was the only pupil and assistant that Foley ever engaged. Foley was commissioned by Queen Victoria to make a statute of the Prince Consort as the centre piece of the Albert Memorial. During Foley’s absence from the studio, Queen Victoria paid an unexpected visit and met Williamson and formed an instant rapport.

At the age of 20, he was exhibiting in the Royal Academy – and although never popular there due to his inability to meet exhibition deadlines, the Queen’s influence opened doors for him.

Williamson moved to Esher when about 23 to recuperate from an illness. He stayed at Fairholme and it was at this time that he met his future wife Elizabeth Smith. They were married in 1857 and shared the house of his mother-in-law. Williamson died at Fairholme in 1920, having lived there for over 60 years.

Williamson had many famous people passing through the doors of his studio in The Bunch of Grapes. Apart from royalty and many notable people of the time, George Meredith the renowned writer stayed for many years with Williamson.

Francis Williamson has many sculptures in and around Esher. A large statue of Britannia with a memorial to Queen Victoria stands on the green in Esher High Street, outside The Grapes. His sculptures of Prince Leopold and the memorial bust of the Duke of Albany are in Christ Church, Esher. The grade 11 listed tomb of Viscount and Viscountess Esher are in the churchyard of Christ Church; and the memorial to Prince Leopold and Princess Charlotte are in St. George’s Church, Esher. We must also note the charming Shrubsole Memorial Fountain, an allegorical group of a woman holding an urn, and a child, in Kingston upon Thames. A plaster cast of his bust of Tennyson (1893) is on display in the National Portrait Gallery.

His statues are scattered worldwide – in Paisley, Wakefield, Birmingham, Croydon and Hastings. Probably the best known, unveiled in 1903, stands in Victoria Square, Christchurch, New Zealand.

Following his death, a bronze relief on green marble has been placed by his daughter, on the left hand side of the South porch to Christ Church Esher