Untitled

Artist unknown, untitled, 2003

"Look across the courtyard to the raven, cast for the fountain in 2003 to match the raven figure which has stood high over the eastern entrance to the Building since its completion. The raven is said to fondly depict Sir Thomas Anderson Stuart, making particular reference to his prominent nose. According to the legend of the raven, his students called him coracoid from the Greek corax for raven."

(Extract from pg.15 of the Medical Heritage Trail brochure produced by the University of Sydney Faculty of Medicine).

"The Legend of the Raven - This raven, cast for the fountain in 2003, matches the raven figure which has stood high over the eastern entrance to the Building since its completion, in 1889. Above the older raven at the apex of the gable, are carved the initials AS, intertwined. The initials are those of Thomas Anderson Stuart, founding Dean of the Faculty of Medicine (1883-1920), Professor of Anatomy and Physiology and the dominant figure of the Faculty's first decades. Sir Thomas Anderson Stuart conceived this Building and was the driving force in its construction. He also had a prominent nose, and the legend of the raven has it that, on that account, his students called him coracoid (from the Greek corax for raven), and that he placed the raven as a riposte. The Building's first raven represents the proud determination of its creator to establish a great medical school in the irreverent colony of New South Wales. This newer raven presents the same spirit of determination, to reach goals which each new generation must set, and be known by."

(Jonathon Stone, Challis Professor of Anatomy, 1987-2003)

"This plaque commemorates the generosity of the many people who have donated their remains to the University for the teaching and understanding of the human body. Their contribution has benefitted generations of students."

(Text from commemorative plaque adjacent to the statue).