Franklin Delano Roosevelt

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Franklin Delano Roosevelt statue by William Reid Dick, 1948
Grosvenor Square, Mayfair
London, October 2009

“The Roosevelt Memorial was funded in 1946 entirely through the sale of a souvenir brochure to the British public. It was the idea of a society called The Pilgrims, who were dedicated to promoting goodwill and friendship between Great Britain and America. So enthusiastic was the public response to the subscription that the total sum required was reached within six days from initial announcement of the appeal (a maximum donation of 5 shillings was set, to allow a greater number to contribute). More than 160,000 separate donations were received. It's worth noting that Britain was approaching starvation during this period (more so than during the war itself), with limited housing and disappearing jobs. Spare funds would have been tough to find. The fact that so many were willing, is testament to the high regard FDR enjoyed among the British Public.” (Roosevelt's Statue - Grosvenor Square, Inside Guide to London)

See also: Allies