the story of the Paisley Burns statue  
 
 

 
The Problems Begin

The problems begin……….

In 1895 William Dunn was knighted. Soon afterwards, in January 1896, the Burns Statue Committee wrote to the council, formally requesting the centre site in Dunn Square for the statue. Unexpectedly, and completely contrary to his earlier deed of gift, Sir William wrote to the Burns Statue Committee (and sent a copy to the council) stating that he was opposed to the centre site being granted for the statue, as he wished it to be retained for “some ulterior purpose” which he thereafter steadfastly refused to divulge. After considering Sir William’s letter the council decided to reject the formal application, offering instead the West side of the square facing St Mirren Brae. It is difficult to over-estimate the outcry that this decision caused. Matters were very far advanced. The public-spirited people of the town who had given their own time and talents to purchase this magnificent memorial saw their efforts being thwarted by an inexplicable (and unexplained!) decision by their own MP and councillors.
Deeply offended, the Burns Statue Committee rejected this “subordinate site”.

There is no doubt that the town felt a deep sense of injustice at this turn of events. Articles and letters from the “Paisley Daily Express” (PDE) at the time show the depth of anger and resentment felt by the Paisley public. Many townspeople simply refused to accept the decision, blaming the council and Sir William equally for the problem. It was suggested (prophetically!) that Sir William wanted the centre of the square for a statue of himself and that the square should therefore be formally returned to him, as he had breached his deed of gift. Some quotations from letters to the editor show the depth of feeling very clearly: “I do not see how Sir William can refuse the central site in the open space. Did he not hand it over to the town as a gift?”  (PDE, 13th February, 1896). Another, sympathising with the committee states, “They would have erected it in the Dunn Square, but for reasons which are by no means satisfactory, the centre site is denied them, and they will take no other…”  (PDE, 13th February, 1896). Yet another suggests sarcastically “….that the centre site of the square be left open permanently”  (PDE, 14th February, 1896).

 

 

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