Memorial in Museum in Docklands, London to John Lydekker d. 1832, owner of whaling ships
Location
Museum in Docklands, London, England
Transcript
'ERECTED / BY THE GOVERNORS OF THE / SEAMEN'S HOSPITAL SOCIETY, / of the Port of London, / IN MEMORY OF / JOHN LYDEKKER, ESQR. / South Sea Ship Owner. / GRATEFULLY TO RECORD HIS / MUNIFICENT BEQUEST TO THAT / INSTITUTION. / HE DIED ON THE 23rd JULY 1832, / and was buried in the North Vault / OF THE CHURCH OF ST DIONIS, BACKCHURCH, / FENCHURCH STREET.'
Details
Description: An impressive pedimented memorial consisting of an inscribed tablet bordered by two figures depicting injured seamen. The tablet and figures stand on a shelf supported on two corbels each showing two fish in relief. The corbels encase a shallow relief depicting a whaling scene. The recently skilfully carved replacement apron is of stylised scallop shells. The Seaman's Hospital Society is better known today as The Hospital for Tropical Diseases. The Society was set up on 8th March 1821 for the purpose of caring for the relief of sick and helpless seamen. The 8th March has become known as 'Founders Day'- the birth of Tropical Medicine.
Type: Wall monument
Position: By entrance
Materials: White marble
Artists: J.J. Sanders, William Tite
Type: Wall monument
Position: By entrance
Materials: White marble
Artists: J.J. Sanders, William Tite
People
Lydekker, John
Age:
Date of Death: 23/7/1832
Cause of Death: Unknown/None
Rank / Occupation: Ship owner
Organisation:
Age:
Date of Death: 23/7/1832
Cause of Death: Unknown/None
Rank / Occupation: Ship owner
Organisation:
Extra
Notes: The memorial originally hung on the staircase at The Royal Exchange. Lloyds vacated the building in the 1920's. It was removed from the building in the 1980's and was stored in various buildings until it was transferred to The Museum of London in 1997. It is now in pride of place at The Museum in Docklands, being recently restored and installed for the museum by Cliveden Conservation Workshop.