Logan Memorial, George Town, Penang

Logan Memorial, with the Penang Supreme Court in the background (8 January 2008)


The Logan Memorial (GPS: 5.42107, 100.33984), or Tugu Peringatan Logan, is a monument erected in memory of James Richardson Logan. James Logan was a champion of the rights of the non-Europeans in Penang. He came to Penang with his elder brother Abraham and began a law practise. In an age where the rights of the non-whites were often suppressed, he skillfully fought in a case of an Indian sireh planter against the East India Company.

The Logan brothers studied law in Edinburgh - James was a classmate of Forbes Scott Brown, whose father David Brown, who is remembered with the Brown Memorial. The Logans moved to Singapore to practise law in 1842, but James returned to Penang in 1853. He wrote Language and Ethnology of the Indian Archipelago, a book that created greater appreciation of the peoples and culture of the Malay archipelago.

Front view of Logan Memorial (8 January 2008)


When the authorities attempted to suppress the activities of the Chinese clans, labelling them secret societies, it was James Logan who helped the Chinese merchants in submitting petitions. This resulted in greater rights and recognition for their organisations and festivals.

The death of James Logan in 1869 was regarded as a huge public calamity. The public of the Straits Settlement pooled a fund to erect a memorial in his honour, the Logan Memorial. The four-sided memorial has statues as allegories of the four cardinal virtues namely Justice, Fortitude, Wisdom and Temperance. Logan's profile is also included on one side of the memorial.

The Logan Memorial stood on the grounds of the Supreme Court, in memory of his deed for the people. It was briefly moved during World War II, but returned to its located in front of the Supreme Court building, until 2007, when it was moved to a new permanent location across the street, following the renovation and expansion of the Supreme Court building.

In addition to the Logan Memorial, Logan Road was also named after James Richardson Logan.

Logan Memorial, after restoration

Ever since the Logan Memorial was restored, it has also been relocated to a new spot, on a specially designated square beside Light Street.

The Logan Memorial is on the Map of Light Street, Penang

Temperance
(8 January 2008)

Wisdom
(8 January 2008)

Fortitude (8 January 2008)

Justice (8 January 2008)

Logan Memorial, before restoration

Before its restoration, the Logan Memorial stood for many decades on the compound of the Supreme Court between Light Street and Farquhar Street. The section of Light Street used to be known as Princes Street, but that name is no longer used today.

Logan Memorial on the grounds of the Supreme Court. (20 March 2004)


The Logan Memorial at its old site (23 January 2005)


Logan Memorial before restoration (1 January, 2002)


Logan Memorial: Temperance & Justice (1 January, 2002)


Logan Memorial: Justice & Fortitude (1 January, 2002)


Logan Memorial: Wisdom (1 January, 2002)

List of Monuments in Penang and Monuments in Malaysia