The Monument is situated in the centre of Newcastle and depicts Earl Grey, who was once Britain's Prime Minister and was credited for the Great Reform Act of 1832. This was landmark legislation of the time that certainly made the electoral system fairer than it was, but of course a million miles of what we'd expect today. Many men still could not vote, let alone any woman!
And then there was the tea.
And yes, the sculpture itself was created by Edward Hodges Baily, who was also responsible for Lord Nelson atop the column in London's Trafalgar Square.