Statue at Lower Largo, Fife commemorating Lieutenant Alexander Selkirk RN d. 1721 – the inspiration for the character of Robinson Crusoe
Location
Main Street, Lower Largo, Fife, Scotland
Transcript
'IN MEMORY OF ALEXANDER SELKIRK / MARINER, THE ORIGINAL ROBINSON CRUSOE / HE LIVED ON THE ISLAND OF JUAN FERNANDEZ IN COMPLETE / SOLITUDE FOR FOUR YEARS AND FOUR MONTHS. HE DIED / 1723 LIEUTENANT OF HMS WEYMOUTH AGED 47 YEARS / THIS STATUE IS ERECTED BY DAVID GILLIES / NET MANUFACTURER ON THE SITE OF THE / COTTAGE IN WHICH SELKIRK WAS BORN' [on plaque below the statue]
Details
Description: Selkirk depicted full-length in a niche, dressed in skins.
Type: Statue
Position: On side of building
Materials: Stone, bronze plaque beneath
Vessel: HMS Weymouth
Type: Statue
Position: On side of building
Materials: Stone, bronze plaque beneath
Vessel: HMS Weymouth
People
Selkirk, Alexander
Age: 45
Date of Death: 1721
Cause of Death: Unknown/None
Rank / Occupation: Lieutenant RN
Organisation: Royal Navy
Age: 45
Date of Death: 1721
Cause of Death: Unknown/None
Rank / Occupation: Lieutenant RN
Organisation: Royal Navy
Extra
Notes: Original of Robinson Crusoe. NMM library catalogue gives his dates as 1676-1721.
Bibliography: David Saunders 'Maritime Memorials & Mementoes' (Yeovil, 1996) p. 146 (photograph).
Bibliography: David Saunders 'Maritime Memorials & Mementoes' (Yeovil, 1996) p. 146 (photograph).