One of the most extraordinary memorials in Kensal Green Cemetery, amongst hundreds of extraordinary ones, is that of circus performer Andrew DUCROW What makes it extraordinary is not only the decorative style, but also the overblown inscription which sets the scene thus:
“Within this tomb erected by genius for the reception of its own remains are deposited those of Andrew Ducrow”
Ducrow was a famous equestrian, strongman and impresario, trained from an early age by his father to excel in balancing, feats of strength, and other circus entertainer delights. He made a fortune, performed for royalty, and managed Astley’s Amphitheatre from 1825 till his untimely death in 1841. You can, if you feel so inclined, read about his career and exploits here, and here.
The inscription continues:
"For many years lessee of the Royal Amphitheatre London whose death deprived the arts and sciences of an eminent professor and liberal patron, his family of an affectionate husband and father, and the world of an upright man."
His mausoleum, apparently created for his wife, was designed by Ducrow's theatrical designer and originally was brightly painted in pastel hues to attract the eye. These have faded over time. It is one of the largest and most decorated tombs within the cemetery and sited in prime position in Centre Avenue, close to the far more sombre and plain tomb of HRH Duke of Sussex. It cost £3,000 when built for Ducrow’s first wife in 1837 and was later embellished.
All the symbols and designs are pagan and of the popular Egyptian style. The tomb is on four levels, the lowest being “Single cell with Egyptian reeded columns with lotus capitals at angles, supporting a cavetto cornice”. There are sphinxes at an angle to the main tomb at each corner, and overflowing the urn on the top of a tapered pedestal there are horses heads and garlands. Underneath the pedestal there are reliefs of Pegasus, and there are on the pediment a relief of a mourning woman with comic and tragic masks and inverted torch with Pegasus amid clouds, alternating with traditional beehives set under arches.
Above the main inscription panel there are reliefs of angels holding wreaths. The tomb is surrounded by cast-iron railings with motifs of wreaths, swags and inverted torches. Within the railings there is a broken column, draped with a wreath. The broken part on the ground has lying upon it a pair of gloves (gauntlets) and a wide brimmed hat.
The tomb and its surrounds (other than the railings) are in poor repair. It is a Grade II* listed monument with Historic England, which is a public body that looks after England’s historic environment.
Footnote: some of the above description of the tomb have been taken from the Historic England listing for Andrew Ducrow
https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1358179
“Within this tomb erected by genius for the reception of its own remains are deposited those of Andrew Ducrow”
Ducrow was a famous equestrian, strongman and impresario, trained from an early age by his father to excel in balancing, feats of strength, and other circus entertainer delights. He made a fortune, performed for royalty, and managed Astley’s Amphitheatre from 1825 till his untimely death in 1841. You can, if you feel so inclined, read about his career and exploits here, and here.
The inscription continues:
"For many years lessee of the Royal Amphitheatre London whose death deprived the arts and sciences of an eminent professor and liberal patron, his family of an affectionate husband and father, and the world of an upright man."
His mausoleum, apparently created for his wife, was designed by Ducrow's theatrical designer and originally was brightly painted in pastel hues to attract the eye. These have faded over time. It is one of the largest and most decorated tombs within the cemetery and sited in prime position in Centre Avenue, close to the far more sombre and plain tomb of HRH Duke of Sussex. It cost £3,000 when built for Ducrow’s first wife in 1837 and was later embellished.
All the symbols and designs are pagan and of the popular Egyptian style. The tomb is on four levels, the lowest being “Single cell with Egyptian reeded columns with lotus capitals at angles, supporting a cavetto cornice”. There are sphinxes at an angle to the main tomb at each corner, and overflowing the urn on the top of a tapered pedestal there are horses heads and garlands. Underneath the pedestal there are reliefs of Pegasus, and there are on the pediment a relief of a mourning woman with comic and tragic masks and inverted torch with Pegasus amid clouds, alternating with traditional beehives set under arches.
Above the main inscription panel there are reliefs of angels holding wreaths. The tomb is surrounded by cast-iron railings with motifs of wreaths, swags and inverted torches. Within the railings there is a broken column, draped with a wreath. The broken part on the ground has lying upon it a pair of gloves (gauntlets) and a wide brimmed hat.
The tomb and its surrounds (other than the railings) are in poor repair. It is a Grade II* listed monument with Historic England, which is a public body that looks after England’s historic environment.
Footnote: some of the above description of the tomb have been taken from the Historic England listing for Andrew Ducrow
https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1358179
