3-008-688 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

The Fothergill Memorial Fountain, 1862. 'A memorial fountain has been raised in Darlington in honour of...Dr. John Fothergill, who was born in 1785, and settled in Darlington. It was inaugurated on Whit Tuesday, when some thousands of the inhabitants assembled to witness the formality of handing the monument over to the Local Board of Health, as conservators of the town property. The Doctor died on the 20th of January, 1858...he commanded respect by his professional skill and practical philanthropy. His great aim and desire through life was to promote the happiness of the human family. He strenuously advocated anti-slavery, and as vehemently declaimed against capital punishment as a barbarous mode of dealing with criminals. In the struggle for the corn-law repeal he took a prominent part. That, however, in which his heart appeared especially to delight was the temperance reformation. On the platform he endeavoured to persuade men to be sober, and in his study he was oftentimes engaged waiting pamphlets on the same subject. The monument erected to perpetuate his memory was the produce of funds principally subscribed by the friends of temperance'. From "Illustrated London News", 1862.