Beau Brummell Statue

George Bryan “Beau” Brummell was a tastemaker and social influencer of men’s fashion in Regency England. Born in 1778 to a middle class family, Brummell dreamed of joining the social elite. He was, at one time, friends with the Prince Regent (the future King George IV). In the 19th century, his fashion sense would greatly influence how the upper-echelons of society would dress, moving away from the ostentatious garments of the 18th century to instead embrace precise tailoring and understated elegance. This style was epitomized, above all, by the meticulously knotted cravat (which is a scarf-like necktie). 

Brummell eventually gambled away his wealth. And in 1816, owing a huge sum of money and ostracized from his social circle, he fled to France to escape British debtor's prison. Brummell remained in France for the rest of his life, increasingly losing touch with London society. In France, after running out of money and growing increasingly slovenly in his dress, his long-unpaid French creditors forced him into debtor’s prison in 1835. With intervention of some of his remaining friends in England, was he able to secure his release later that year. In 1840, he died a pauper, in an asylum at Caen, due to syphilis.

This statue, erected in 2002, was sculpted by Irena Sedlecka.