George Lansell was born in Margate, England in 1823 and arrived in Bendigo with his brother in 1853 and opened a butchery, soap and candle factory and tallow chandlers business. He became interested in deep reef mining, and one of his mines was sunk to a record depth of 3719 feet. Finding a coffin in his stableyard one morning, and taking this as a sign that his success had brought him enemies he returned to England in 1880. In 1887, in response to a letter signed by 2628 citizens begging him to return, he did. He died in 1906. His critical influence on the development of Bendigo gave him the nickname of the "Quartz King". In 1906, citizens erected an over-life size bronze statue of him holding a lump of quartz on a granite base. Bronze relief`s of gold mining scenes and a plaque are on the base
