Man standing in ornimental clothing with a sash and a robe which drapes over his shoulders and onto the platform of the sculpture. He is holding a sphereical object in his left hand (viewer's right). Standing on a square platform with right leg (viewer's left) pointing out further than the other. The stand/platform is inscribed white marble.

To mark the royal opening of the University, the sculptor Sir Alfred Drury was commissioned to carve this colossal likeness of Edward VII in marble. The King looks out determinedly, one hand pointing to those he addresses, the other carrying an orb which signifies his rule over the British Empire. Around the plinth are inscribed words from the King’s speech at the University, made permanent in marble: ‘to you the students I say that the honour and dignity of this University are largely in your hands and I look to you to initiate and hand down worthy traditions to your successors.’ The University’s sculpture collection includes commemorative sculptures and busts which preserve the memory and likeness of important figures from the University’s past. This impressive statue is tucked away in an uncomfortable niche in Aston Webb, but there are plans to move it to a more prominent and suitable position nearby.

Inscriptions / Translations:  'HIS . MAJESTY . KING . EDWARD . VII / ACCOMPANIED . BY . QUEEN . ALEXANDRA . / OPENED . THESE . BUILDINGS . JULY . 7TH . 1909 / . AND . CONCLUDED . HIS . ADDRESS . THUS . / TO . YOU . THE . STUDENTS . I . SAY . THAT . THE . HONOUR . AND / DIGNITY . OF . THIS . UNIVERSITY . ARE . LARGELY . IN . YOUR / HANDS . AND . I . LOOK . TO . YOU . TO . INITIATE . AND . HAND / DOWN . WORTHY . TRADITIONS . TO . YOUR . SUCCESSORS / THIS . STATUE . WAS . PRESENTED . TO . THE . UNIVERSITY / . BY . ALDERMAN . FRANCIS . CORDER . CLAYTON . / . THE . FIRST . PRO-VICE-CHANCELLOR . / TO . COMMEMORATE . THE . OPENING . OF . THE . UNIVERSITY / ' BY . HIS . MAJESTY . KING . EDWARD. VII '