The (Original) Grave of George Cruikshank (1792-1878), Kensal Green Cemetery, London (original) (raw)

The (Original) Grave of George Cruikshank

Kensal Green Cemetery

London.

This red granite stele served as the base of a portrait bust of the famous caricaturist and illustrator by William Behnes that has since been stolen. (A cemetery guide explained that many such art-works have been stolen.) A plaster cast of Behnes's bust of Cruikshank (presumably this one) is currently on display in Room 21 of the National Portrait Gallery. Cruikshank was only buried here temporarily: his remains were soon (in November 1878) removed to St Paul's, when the crypt was reopened after repairs. The stele carries this inscription:

For 30 Years a
Total Abstainer
and Ardent Pioneer
and Champion
by Pencil, Word and Pen
of
Unversal Abstinence
from
Intoxicating Drinks.

Related Material

• Memorial tablet in St Paul's

Photograph, caption, and commentary by Jacqueline Banerjee 2007.

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