Image: Bishop Elphinstone Memorial by Bill Harrison, sourced from Wikimedia Commons and licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.
A bronze recumbent founder and subsidiary figures commemorate Bishop William Elphinstone at the heart of Old Aberdeen.
Quick facts
- Date
- Created 1926; moved to its present position in 1946
- Architect / designer
- Harry Wilson
- Type
- Bronze recumbent memorial on a tomb chest
- Designation
- Listed building, Category A (LB20005)
- OS grid reference
- NJ 93943 08152
Architecture and continuing use
The recumbent bronze figure lies on a tomb chest accompanied by smaller sculptural groups, creating an intimate monument rather than a dominant vertical landmark.
Its story
Harry Wilson completed the memorial in 1926 to honour the founder of the University of Aberdeen. It was moved to its present position between King’s College Chapel and the High Street in 1946.
Why it is included
The work links sculpture, university identity and the historic college setting in a nationally important group.
What to notice
- Recumbent bronze figure of Elphinstone.
- Smaller groups arranged around the tomb chest.
- Axial relationship with King’s College Chapel.
Reading the surroundings
View from authorised public routes through the working university precinct. Respect ceremonies, teaching and temporary event controls.
Timeline
- Created 1926 Harry Wilson completed the memorial in 1926 to honour the founder of the University of Aberdeen. It was moved to its present position between King’s College Chapel and the High Street in 1946.
- Present Public university memorial within the King’s College precinct.
What we know — and what remains uncertain
The short statutory record gives limited detail; the University’s trail is the principal source for present interpretation and location.
Sources & further reading
- Historic Environment Scotland: Bishop Elphinstone Memorial, LB20005 — Designation status, mapped location, construction phases, fabric, authorship and architectural or historical interest.
- University of Aberdeen: Old Aberdeen trail — University interpretation, location and the memorial’s relationship to the King’s College precinct.
Location
OS grid reference NJ 93943 08152 · Location confidence: High: the statutory designation supplies an official mapped National Grid Reference and the current source confirms the Place relationship or present identity. · Select the marker to open its satellite view in Google Maps. On desktop, drag Pegman (the yellow figure) onto a blue road. On mobile, turn on the Street View layer and tap a blue road. Other photo markers may be user-contributed.
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The teal marker is the current published position. The orange marker starts slightly to its right so both remain visible; this is only a visual starting position. Tap the correct place on the map or drag the orange marker. Sending this form creates a private review entry only; it does not move the published marker.
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