Separating the Numerous Rowland Hills of History

The announcement of essential repairs to Shrewsbury’s Lord Hill statue is a positive development for the town and its visitors.

This striking monument, a towering Doric column crowned by a statue of General Lord Hill, a key figure in the Napoleonic Wars and a close ally of the Duke of Wellington, is a significant landmark visible for miles around. For those unfamiliar with Shropshire, imagine a structure akin to Nelson’s Column in London.

The upcoming remedial work, signals Shropshire’s dedication to maintaining this historical treasure for future generations.

Lord (Rowland) Hill’s Column in Shrewsbury

This heritage moment presents the opportunity to untangle the various Rowland Hills of the last 500 years, who can sometimes become commingled, confused, and overerwritten.

This confusion arises partly from the family’s tradition of repeatedly using the name ‘Rowland,’ and the practice of reasserting the ‘Hill’ surname through maternal lines.

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The Lord Hill 1816 column is a monument to Lord (Rowland) Hill, 1st Viscount Hill a distinguished British Army officer and statesman, General Rowland Hill rose to prominence during the Napoleonic Wars, serving as a trusted commander under the Duke of Wellington. Known for his bravery and care for his troops, earning him the affectionate nickname “Daddy Hill,” he played a crucial role in key battles such as Waterloo. Later in life, he served as Commander-in-Chief of the Forces.

But there are other Rowland’s Hill and its useful to distinguish them firmly to avoid confusion in understanding the legacy of the dynasty they are part of.

The original holder of the name is Sir Rowland Hill, Lord Mayor of London who died in 1561.Adding to the confusion, he also has a column monument built in the 1790s, which is also located at Hawkstone and known as the obelisk.

Rowland Hill Monument, Hawkstone Park

This individual is Soulton and Shakespeare’s ‘Old Sir Rowland’. A prominent London merchant, statesman, and the first Protestant Lord Mayor of London (1549), Sir Rowland Hill was a significant figure during the Tudor era. He played a key role in publishing the Geneva Bible (1560), a widely influential Protestant text. Hill was also a polymath linked to scholarship and civics, ranging from theology and medicine to games and travelogues. His political career included serving as Sheriff of London (1542), and as a Member of Parliament. Known for his philanthropy, he established schools, supported hospitals, and provided aid to the poor. His legacy also includes influencing early English theatre and architecture, with connections to Shakespearean works, in particular As You Like It. 

Portrait of Sir Rowland Hill, Mercer’s Copy

For a certain generation of people the other Sir Rowland Hill inventor of the Uniform Penny Post, who dies 1879 is more immediately valent. He was an inventor, and social reformer best known for revolutionizing the postal system. He advocated for a “Uniform Penny Post,” proposing a low, uniform postage rate based on weight, prepaid by the sender using adhesive stamps. This led to the introduction of the Penny Black in 1840, the world’s first adhesive postage stamp. His reforms dramatically increased mail volume and transformed postal services globally. Beyond postal reform, Hill was an innovator in education, establishing the progressive Hazelwood School, which emphasized kindness, science, and self-governance. He also played a role in the colonization of South Australia and was involved in railway development. Hill’s legacy includes the modern postal system, commemorated by statues, awards, and stamps worldwide.

There is also a prominent English preacher and evangelical, ‘Rev’ Rowland Hill founded the independent Surrey Chapel in London, attracting large congregations and preachers from various denominations. He was a strong advocate for smallpox vaccination, working closely with Edward Jenner to promote the practice. Hill was also a key figure in the establishment of benevolent institutions, Sunday schools, and religious societies like the Religious Tract Society, the British and Foreign Bible Society, and the London Missionary Society.

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The recurrence of the name Rowland Hill throughout history, particularly within the Shropshire Hill family, contributes significantly to the challenge of historical disambiguation. While figures like the celebrated General Rowland Hill and the influential Lord Mayor Rowland Hill are well-documented, the repetition of the name in subsequent generations, as seen with the Hill Baronets and Viscounts, creates a complex web of familial connections. This practice, coupled with the emergence of Rowland Hills in unrelated fields like cricket, journalism, and Australian politics, further complicates matters.

The reader is often left to sift through a multitude of individuals sharing the same name, requiring careful attention to context and chronology to accurately distinguish their respective contributions.

This persistent naming convention, a testament to familial pride and tradition, underscores the need for clear distinctions to avoid conflating the achievements of these distinct individuals.