Bronze bust of Alderman James W. Southern by the Manchester sculptor John Cassidy in 1907.

From the son of a carpenter to a ‘Sir’, James W. Southern built up a reputation as an influential business and political figure in Manchester.

James Wilson Southern (1840 - 1909) was born in Manchester. He achieved a good education at the Working Men's College and Owen’s College the forerunner of Manchester University and started a business as a packing case maker and timber merchant in 1860, aged 20. His education, business experience and philanthropic nature, led him to being elected to Manchester City Council for St Clement's Ward, part of Chorlton-on-Medlock. Later, he achieved the position of Alderman. Politically, he was a Liberal, being leader of the Liberal Party in Manchester for many years, and a member of the Reform Club in Manchester.

He became Deputy Chairman for the Manchester Ship Canal Company. As Chairman of the Free Libraries Committee, he oversaw the creation on the network of branch libraries around the city.

It is not clear when or why this bust was commissioned, or by whom. It dates from 1907, the year after Southern was awarded Freedom of the City of Manchester, an honour bestowed by a city on valued members of the community. In the same year he was knighted. The bust was likely created to commemorate those achievements.

The sculpture John Cassidy (1860 - 1939) born at Littlewood, Slane, Co. Meath, Ireland, settled in Manchester. He studied at the Manchester School of Art and became a renowned sculptor and artist. His works ‘Adrift’ and ‘Statue of Edward VII’ are displayed in prominent outdoor locations in Manchester.