Tomb of Charles Spencer Ricketts, Grade II* listed tomb in Kensal Green Cemetery, London, England
The tomb is a Neo-Gothic stone structure with a canopy supported by eight slender columns and a roof decorated with gables, crockets, and carved waterspouts. The base consists of fifteen pedestals that form a bier, giving the monument its distinctive architectural presence.
The Commander served in the British Royal Navy during the Napoleonic Wars under renowned Admiral Thomas Cochrane before retiring at age 26. William Burges designed the memorial in 1868 as part of his broader work in Victorian ecclesiastical and funerary architecture.
The tomb reflects how wealthy Victorians used elaborate stone monuments to honor their dead and ensure lasting remembrance. Visitors can see how the craftsmanship and choice of fine materials express the status and achievements of the person beneath.
The cemetery opens during standard hours and is accessible through the main entrance, where visitors can obtain information about different sections. Wear flat shoes as pathways can be uneven, and visit when daylight is good to see the details of the monument clearly.
The monument combines Peterhead granite for the outer columns with rare Cornish serpentine marble for the inner columns, an unusual material choice for Victorian funerary art. This pairing of noble stones demonstrates the exceptional quality and expense invested in this burial monument.
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