This is the statue of Sir William Whitla that graces the side of the Whitla Hall at Queen's University of Belfast.

For me, Whitla's name is inextricably linked to Queen’s - Whitla Hall was the first place I went to when I was matriculating (I think), I’ve taken exams there, and it was where I eventually received my degree in 1999.

I bet if you’ve been to Queen’s, you’ve probably never paid much attention to Whitla. So, in the interests of research, here’s very thorough biography of the man.