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Peter Nicol Russel Location:	Peter Nicol Russel Building, Maze Crescent, The University of Sydney, NSW, 2006

Transcript on the Plaque: “To the memory of Sir Peter Nicol Russel Engineer Born in Kirkcalov the 4th of July 1816 Died in London the 10th of July 1905 He founded and Endowed The Peter Nicol Russel School of Engineering With the University of Sydney New South Wales In memory of the Just is blessed”

Sir Peter Nicol Russel was born in Kirkcaldy, Fifeshire, Scotland. His father, Robert Russel was an engineer and iron-founder who emigrated to Tasmania in 1832. They formed a foundry and engineering business based in Sydney. He carried on his father’s company under the name P.N. Russel and Company, which became quite successful and one of a kind in Australia. By 1875, the company was closed down, however he had gained a large fortune from his investments. He was always fond of Australia and in 1896 he made a large donation of 50 000 pounds to the University of Sydney to form an engineering school.

This was followed by another 50 000 pound to the engineering department, given that the government would provide 25 000 pounds to buildings. After his death in 1905, the engineering school at the University of Sydney named the engineering school after him, now known as the Peter Nicol Russell School of Engineering, where 3 PNR scholarships are awarded for mechanical engineering and a special medal granted for research work. Within the Great Hall, a portrait of him by artist W. Q. Orchardson was placed and a monument/statue lies in the front of the PNR Learning Studio, above another statue of a male blacksmith who is held by an angel.

This statue of Sir Peter stands tall with a very sophisticated and professional appearance, as his face expression shows sternness and understanding. The author of this piece definitely wanted to highlight his masculinity as evident also by the muscular-built physique of the workman standing below his statue. Since this piece of work was done for the purpose of showing the appreciation the university has for Sir Peter, it is accurate to choose a figure that is strong, confident and appears as a leading figure, as it holds as an example of how others see him and how students should strive to become or achieve as much as he did and more. There is a strong sense of authority portrayed by the statue, as the upper part of the body starting from the head and ending at the chest is only shown, making it a very professional and firm statue. This is lightened by the angel that presides over the statue of the workman which creates a much more caring and comforting environment for the students and staff that look at the statue very often. It gives the message that someone is always looking over them and protecting them in their day to day life, which when juxtaposed by the stern image of Sir Peter, does create a balanced and enjoyable environment that people can walk past and see. Since Sir Peter had a strong Christian faith, it is appropriate that such a religious symbol is placed as part of the statue.

In experiencing the statue first hand and in person, it was quite an enlightening experience, as I have walked past it many times but have not taken considerable notice of the statue. Looking and analysing the features of it, with the knowledge now of what it entails and its reason for being there, I realise that it creates a form of connection, especially for students, who would have come to university in fear that they have no constant guidance as there is an independence that one must accept and learn, so by having a figure that stands to support and look out for students, it does make it quite earnest and authentic.