James Richardson Logan (1819 – 1869) was a lawyer and advocate, trained in Scottish law, who practised in Penang defending, without charge, the rights of non-Europeans.

He was also an eminent scholar, founding and writing articles for the influential Journal of the Indian Archipelago and Eastern Asia, and was proprietor of the leading newspaper, the Penang Gazette.

[1][2] Following the death of Logan on 20 October 1869, a meeting was held at the Exchange Rooms in George Town on 25 November to discuss how to perpetuate his memory, and it was decided to erect a monument in Penang where he lived for 20 years.

[6] The monument, built in the Gothic style, features four female allegorical statues representing the Cardinal Virtues of Temperance, Wisdom, Fortitude, and Justice, and holding symbolic items.

The opening words of the inscription state: "This monument is erected by the peoples of the Straits Settlements as a tribute to their respect and gratitude to James Richardson Logan Advocate.