Tomato sauce aficionado and public intellectual Loyd Grossman has spoken out against attempts to “erase history” by removing statues such as that of Edward I, who expelled the Jews in 1290.

“I’m not a big fan of pulling down statues because I don’t think you can erase history,” Mr Grossman, whose father was Jewish, said. “I do think you can explain it and I think statues even of people you don’t like can stimulate you to consider history and consider their role and your approach to it.

“I’m all in favour of anything that stimulates debate and I think it’s better to have them there and stimulate debate than to try and erase them and try to pretend that any foul deeds they did never happened.”

Statue of Edward I at Burgh-by-Sands - geograph.org.uk - 933362

Statue of Edward I at Burgh-by-Sands

The art historian and entrepreneur, who was a member of the Royal Commission on the Historical Monuments of England, was speaking at the renowned Savile Club to promote his latest book, a history of Rome in the 17th century.

He told the JC that monuments to figures who oppressed Jews, such as King Edward I, should remain standing.

A likeness of Edward I stands on the spot where he died in Burgh by Sands, near Carlisle, in 1307.

Mr Grossman added: “There are amazing statues of people who we’ve never even heard of and have forgotten about. All these incredible Victorian generals for instance, which are all over London, most people have no idea who they are but they are stimulating.

“They animate the street. Some of them are very nice works of art, some of them are mundane.”

The sight of a statute, Mr Grossman said, had inspired his new book, An Elephant in Rome, a history of Pope Alexander VII and the sculptor Bernini’s attempt to reinvigorate the city after the Reformation.

Walking through a Roman square, he came across a stature of an elephant with an obelisk on its back.

“I found out quite quickly it was by Bernini, and I thought that’s interesting, because he’s the most famous sculptor of the 17th century.

“But I couldn’t figure out why an elephant was regarded as a suitable subject as a statue for this square, and that’s where it all started.”

While Mr Grossman rose to fame in Britain as a MasterChef presenter, the American expat’s background is in art history.
He said his Jewish father, an antiques dealer from Boston, had inspired his study of the past.

“As far back as I can remember, we were always going to museums and galleries. It was always a very important part of life,” he said.
“I’m honoured to become a historian. I trained as a historian, and that really was thanks to my father.”