Guy’s and St Thomas’ statue to stay put after plans to move it over slavery links

By Robert Firth, Local Democracy Reporter

Officials have scrapped plans to remove a statue of the founder of a hospital from its entrance over his slave trade links.

Charity the Guy’s and St Thomas’ Foundation intended to move the statue of Guy’s Hospital founder, Thomas Guy, to “a less prominent location”.

Guy bankrolled the building of the hospital in the 18th Century, but also invested in the South Sea Company – which supplied African slaves to the Spanish and Portuguese empires in South America.

But officials have now backtracked on the plans and will instead put “interpretation boards” around the statue, explaining Guy’s links to the slave trade.

Proposals submitted to Southwark council will see the statue kept in its spot by the old Guy’s Hospital building.

Up to four notices will be installed around the statue informing people of his connections to slavery.

The statue of Guy had been covered in temporary hoarding since 2020, following the toppling of slave trader Edward Colstons’ statue in Bristol.

It was uncovered in November last year “to enable surveying for conservation and design work to be carried out,” according to the Guy’s and St Thomas’ Foundation.

Two temporary so-called “interpretation boards” have already been fitted to railings around the statue.

The Guy’s and St Thomas’ Foundation previously submitted plans in June 2020 to remove the statue and put it in storage while they decided where to move it.

The charity withdrew the plans later the same year after the government’s heritage advisors, Historic England, advised against the plans.

Some locals have criticised the proposed plaques, branding them “pathetic.”

Commenting on the plans on Southwark council’s website, one person said: “Stop judging these people by today’s standards. At their time of living they did NOTHING wrong, or illegal.

“You’re wrongly judging them by today’s standards… there is stuff we do today that’ll be condemned in centuries to come. These icons do not deserve it. And what they contributed to society and this country’s national heritage is worth more than some pathetic shaming plaque.”

Another person branded the proposed plaques “virtue signalling” and said the charity would be better off focusing its efforts on tackling modern day slavery.

They said: “Please focus your attentions on modern slavery. Check on your supply chains and those of your partners. Call out their crimes and leave your founder alone.

“If you hate him this much – change the name of the hospital and pay reparations to whomever you feel is the victim – don’t lecture the public with this nonsense.”

The Guy’s and St Thomas’ Foundation said the information plaques will “help people to better understand” the history of Thomas Guy and how he gained his wealth, which “has left a legacy that has long lasting impacts on society today.”

After selling his shares in the South Sea Company for £250,000, Thomas Guy used his fortune to establish Guy’s Hospital.

He invested £330,000, equivalent to around £749m in modern day prices, in the foundation of the hospital in Southwark.

The statue of Thomas Guy was erected in 1734. It was made by Flemish sculptor Peter Scheemakers.

Pictured top: Statue of Thomas Guy outside Guy’s Hospital in Southwark (Picture: Southwark council planning documents)