Bronze Statuette of Sir Leo Schultz by Nigel Boonham (2006)
Sir Leo Schultz was an active councillor for many years. He was a major personality in Hull and many still remember him fondly. His long career was particularly effective during the Second World War. Leo was also awarded a medal for his work as an Air Raid Warden. This statuette is a scale model for a full-sized statue. It has been cast in bronze so it will last and form part of the Guildhall collection. Sir Leo Schultz OBE was a major figure in the recent history of Hull. He was an active councillor serving Hull for many years, and Leader of the Council from 1945 to 1979. He was always a prominent and recognisable personality in Hull. Leo was a talented and intelligent child. At the age of 15 he came first in regional exams for a scholarship to Oxford University. However, he was badly advised that Oxford was not really for a boy of his class and Jewish religion. Schultz reluctantly stepped down and later became a dedicated socialist. He used his great financial and political skills for public service rather than for his own benefit. Before the Second World War, Leo Schultz campaigned for Hull council to build expensive bomb shelters. He was successful and the shelters helped to save many thousands of lives. During the war he was also decorated for his work as an Air Raid Warden. The Council has commissioned the artist Nigel Boonham to produce a full-sized statue which will be unveiled next year. This will officially recognise Sir Leo's positive influence and life's work for the people of Hull. Nigel Boonham is a British portrait sculptor who started work as a sculptor in 1975. Boonham's reputation has grown steadily over the past two decades. He has made a series of distinguished portrait bronzes including Lord Runcie (Archbishop of Canterbury), Cardinal Basil Hume and Princess Diana.
