Controversy Surrounding Dr. Elsie Inglis Statue Ignites Passionate Debate
The proposed statue of Dr. Elsie Inglis in Edinburgh has ignited a storm of controversy, prompting campaigners to address every Edinburgh councillor with concerns about the design and artist selection process, which they deem “deeply flawed.”
For years, the campaign to install a statue of Inglis on the iconic Royal Mile has been embroiled in controversy, primarily due to the process of selecting the sculptor and the final design. Initially, the commission was opened to a competition that aimed to engage a wide array of artists, both established and emerging, inspired by Inglis’s remarkable legacy. However, the competition was abruptly suspended by the trustees of the charity “A Statue for Elsie Inglis,” leaving many artists who had devoted numerous hours to their applications in limbo. The competition was replaced by the appointment of Alexander Stoddart, the King’s Sculptor in Ordinary in Scotland, who had not participated in the open call, triggering a backlash from local artists and the public, including East Lothian-based artist Natasha Phoenix.
The recent campaign, spearheaded by Phoenix, has submitted a planning application for the statue, proposing its placement outside 219 High Street, near the original site of Inglis’s hospice established in 1904. This proposal has sparked 76 objections and garnered support from 105 individuals, highlighting the divided opinions within the community.
Who is Elsie Inglis?
Elsie Inglis, born in 1864 in the Himalayas of India, hailed from the Inglis family of Inverness. Her family later settled in Bruntsfield, Edinburgh, in 1878. In 1892, she achieved her qualification as a doctor and subsequently opened a general practice in the capital in 1894, along with a hospital for women and children. In addition to her medical endeavors, she was a prominent figure in the campaign for women’s suffrage, actively advocating for women’s right to vote.
During the tumultuous period of the First World War, Inglis organized hospital units staffed by women, including one in Serbia where she was the first woman to receive the prestigious Order of the White Eagle for her extraordinary heroism. Despite initial discouragement from the war office, which advised her to “go home and sit still,” Inglis persisted in her efforts to contribute to the war effort, leaving a lasting legacy of courage and compassion.
‘Elsie Would Be Appalled’
Dr. Lynn McNair, a lecturer specializing in early childhood practice and froebelas, has joined forces with Natasha Phoenix in voicing their concerns over the proposed statue of Elsie Inglis. The group, along with over 800 members of the Facebook group “Elsie on the Mile -we choose a breastfeeding mother with Elsie statue,” have expressed their discontent with Stoddart’s design, which portrays Inglis in military attire.
The campaigners argue that this depiction fails to capture the essence of Inglis’s life’s work, emphasizing her groundbreaking contributions to women’s healthcare as her most significant legacy. They point out that while her wartime efforts are duly recognized in a plaque at St Giles Cathedral, her pioneering work in women’s health is the cornerstone of her enduring impact. By portraying her in a conventional, meek light, the proposed statue risks erasing the revolutionary spirit that defined Inglis’s legacy.
The proposed site for the statue, outside 219 High Street, holds historical significance as the former location of The Hospice, which provided critical medical care to women and children, entirely staffed by women. Additionally, the site housed a milk bank and breastfeeding support services, underscoring Inglis’s multifaceted contributions to women’s health.
The campaigners advocate for a statue that encapsulates Inglis’s compassionate spirit by depicting her with her arm around a new mother breastfeeding her baby. This proposal not only celebrates Inglis’s commitment to women’s health but also offers a symbolic gesture of support to new parents, providing a tangible link to the historical context of the site and its significance to women and children in need.
In conclusion, the controversy surrounding the proposed statue of Dr. Elsie Inglis reflects a broader debate about the representation of historical figures and the importance of preserving their multifaceted legacies. As the community grapples with differing opinions and visions for the statue, the fundamental question remains: How can we honor the memory of a trailblazer like Elsie Inglis while staying true to her revolutionary spirit and enduring impact on women’s healthcare?
