Shaftesbury Memorial Fountain

The fountain you are approaching is officially named the Shaftesbury Memorial Fountain. Most people call it Eros, but this is a case of mistaken identity. The winged figure at the top is actually Anteros, the brother of Eros in Greek mythology. While Eros is associated with romantic and often impulsive passion, Anteros is the god of requited, selfless love. The sculptor, Alfred Gilbert, chose this figure to represent the philanthropic life of the seventh Earl of Shaftesbury, a Victorian reformer who dedicated his career to improving the lives of the poor and ending child labor. Gilbert believed the image of Anteros as a selfless provider of love was a fitting symbol for a man who spent his life serving others.