GREAT MEN AND MONUMENTS
London has more statues than any other city in the world, while in some parts it seems that every other house is marked by a blue plaque. Throughout London the statues, monuments, and houses of great men stand in silent commemoration of the prominent figures in the nation's history. A selection of London's more interesting monuments and statues, featuring eight men who made their homes in London and who, in their different ways, changed the face and course of Britain's history.
THOMAS CARLYLE 1795 - 1881
Born in Ecclefechan, Scotland, Thomas Carlyle was a member of a strictly Calvinistic family which has plans for him to enter the Church. Carlyle, however, was more attracted towards jounalism and writing, and became a regular contributor to the Edinburgh Review while he privately compiled Sartor Resartus, a philosophical work based on his own confusion over religious doctrine. In 1834 he and his wife, Jane, moved to London where they occupied 24 Cheyne Row for the rest of their lives. Here Carlyle wrote his major historical works, all of which were liberally spiced with his own thoughts and earned him the title 'Sage of Chelsea'. He died on February 5th, 1881 and was buried in Ecclefechan, according to his express wishes, and despite the offer of a burial place in Westminster Abbey. He is regarded as one of the most distinguished essayists in the English language.
DR SAMUEL JOHNSON 1709 - 1784
Johnson studied literature from an early age, but was unable to complete his degree course at Oxford because he ran out of money. Johnson moved to London in 1737 and worked on political articles and a 'Turkish tragedy' which was later staged in the city. It was not a success, and close within two weeks. In 1747 he was commissioned to work on the now famous dictionary, but was obliged to produce essays and other writings continuously to keep himself out of debt. The dictionary took 8½ years to complete, and it contained 40,000 words, with more carefully researched definitions and shades of meaning than had ever been thought possible. Johnson next undertook the mammoth task of editing the complete works of Shakespeare. In 1763 he met James Boswell. They became firm friends, and the diary which Boswell kept contains most of the quotations which are attributed to Johnson. The man who was to become the most frequently quoted Englishman after Shakespeare died in London December 13th, 1784 and was buried in Westminster Abbey a week later.
JOHNSON'S HOUSE
17 Gough Square
Johnson lived in this handsome 18th-century house between 1749 and 1759 and it was here that he wrote the dictionary.
CARLYLE'S HOUSE
24 Cheyne Row, Chelsea
This small 18th-century house, now owned by the National Trust, contains much Carlyle memorabilia. The attic study and the kitchen where he often entertained Tennyson are preserved exactly as Carlyle knew them.
WILLIAM HOGARTH 1697 - 1764
A native of London, Hogarth began his career as an apprentice silverplate engraver, and later set up as a designer and publisher of popular prints and as a book illustrator. He began to paint portraits and what he referred to as 'dramatic' paintings - a series of pictures telling a story - notably A Harlot's Progress and The Rake's Progress. He was made a governor of the Foundling Hospital (now the Thomas Coram Foundation for Children), which was founded by Captain Thomas Coram in 1739, and was commissioned to paint a number of portraits, including one of Coram. Hogarth returned to his 'dramatic' work in 1744, producing his most famous paintings, the six scenes which make up Marriage a la Mode, and finally, in 1754, the four pictures of An Election. Throughout his life Hogarth championed the cause of English art. He helped to establish an art school in London and set up a permanent exhibition of works by the rising generation of painters at the Foundling Hospital; this was a forerunner of the Royal Academy, which was founded shortly after Hogarth's death.
HOGARTH'S HOUSE
Hogarth Lane, Great West Road, Chiswick
Paintings, prints, and personal relics are displayed in the 17th-century house, which was Hogarth's home for 15 years.
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