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More than 5000 entries on the history, culture and life of Britain (published in 1993 by Macmillan, now out of print)
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Albert Memorial
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(London SW7) The nation's memorial to Prince *Albert, built in 1863–72 on the south side of Kensington Gardens. The design was by George Gilbert *Scott in the style of a medieval reliquary. The ornamentation (the work of many sculptors) has the Victorian high seriousness of Albert himself.
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The splendid marble groups flanking the platform represent the continents of Europe, Asia, Africa and America. The 169 life-size figures round the base were selected as the most creative human beings known to history. On the next level are four groups depicting Agriculture, Commerce, Manufactures and Engineering. And under the canopy sits Albert, sculpted by John Foley (1818–74). He holds in his hand the catalogue of his own most creative contribution, the *Great Exhibition, which had taken place just nearby in Hyde Park.
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