Edinburgh is poised to honor one of its most brilliant literary daughters, Muriel Spark, with a new memorial. The call for artists has begun, launching a project titled “Spirit of Spark” – a tribute to the author ofThe Prime of Miss Jean Brodieand a legacy that continues to inspire.
This isn’t simply about erecting a statue; it’s about redressing a startling imbalance. Edinburgh, a city steeped in literary history, boasts more statues of animals than of women. Spark will become only the fourth female figure to be permanently memorialized within the city limits, joining a vanishingly small group.
Born in Bruntsfield in 1918, Spark penned 22 novels, each marked by her distinctive and often unsettling prose. Though she spent much of her life abroad, Edinburgh remained a vital source of inspiration, vividly shaping the worlds within her stories.
Her most celebrated work,The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie, drew heavily from her own experiences at James Gillespie’s School for Girls in Marchmont. The enigmatic Brodie, with her unconventional lessons and carefully chosen “girls,” remains a captivating and complex character in modern literature.
But Spark’s talent extended far beyond a single novel. She excelled as a poet, essayist, biographer, and dramatist, leaving an indelible mark on 20th-century Scottish literature. As author Alan Taylor eloquently stated, she is “not only the greatest Scottish novelist of the second half of the twentieth century, she is one of the world’s greatest writers.”
The renewed interest in Spark’s work, sparked by the centenary of her birth in 2018, included a speech by then-First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and the renaming of a path near her former school as Muriel Spark Walk. This memorial represents the next step in celebrating her enduring influence.
The proposed location for the memorial – a corner of Princes Street Gardens, near the iconic Scott Monument and Waverley Station – is particularly fitting. It would place Spark in conversation with two other giants of Scottish literature, Sir Walter Scott and Robert Louis Stevenson, acknowledging her place within that esteemed lineage.
The commissioning team, led by philanthropist Morag Anderson, is seeking artists with a vision to capture the “spirit” of Spark. The process will unfold in stages, culminating in a detailed design proposal submitted to the council for approval.
Penelope Jardine, a lifelong friend of Spark, expressed her hope for an “inspired artist up to the challenge.” The project, backed by a budget exceeding £100,000 and a commitment to long-term upkeep, promises a lasting tribute to a truly remarkable writer.
As author Ali Smith observed, Spark possessed a unique ability to unite “the heart, the soul and the intellect with such interrogatory merriment.” This memorial will serve as a testament to her daring artistry and her enduring legacy in Edinburgh and beyond.
