Statue of Darwin's grandfather unveiled by country artist

The seven-and-a-half foot statue was created by Shrewsbury artist Peter Walker and was unveiled in the new redeveloped Museum Gardens in the city. More than 200 people turned up to watch the statue being unveiled by Christopher Darwin, a descendant of Erasmus.

Known as Britain's Leonard Da Vinci, Erasmus was a physician, natural philosopher, physiologist, abolitionist, inventor and poet, as well as being the grandfather to Shrewsbury's most famous son Charles Darwin.

Mr Walker said that it had been odd to work on the statue in Shrewsbury, given the Darwin family's connections to Shropshire.

"It is strange to think that whilst living and working in Shrewsbury I have been working on a statue of Charles Darwin's grandfather Erasmus," he said.

"He was a major influence on his grandson and his own work on evolution was a key factor in orientating the thoughts of Charles which have resulted as we know in such a remarkable legacy."

Councillor Ken Humphreys, chairman of Lichfield District Council, said that the new sculpture was a fitting tribute to Erasmus Darwin in his home city.

"It was a privilege to join a member of Darwin's family, Christopher Darwin, in unveiling the superb statue of Erasmus Darwin in Beacon Park's Museum Gardens," he said.

The bronze sculpture is now a permanent feature in Lichfield.

Mr Walker said the statue has been created to have an 'uncompromising' design to help symbolise the character of Erasmus.