Bust

Kensington Library - Caxton

Inscription

Caxton

Site: Kensington Central Library (6 memorials)

W8, Philimore Walk, Kensington Central Library

The library, by E. Vincent Harris and opened in 1960, is the building to the south, the left of our picture. The Library Time Machine must be based in this building so, as you'd expect, have a very thorough post about it.

Chaucer is high up, on the back wall of the massive porch to the west; Caxton in the porch to the right. There is something of a tradition to commemorate on library buildings the great men of books from the past, but these two busts are of superior quality.

The other memorials are in the planted area just to the north of the library: from west to east: Princess Alice Garden - created, Princess Alice - unveiled, environmental, clock.

McMillan also produced the Lion and Unicorn sculptures which adorn the south facade and the gilded figure on the roof holding a star aloft - an exuberant lightening conductor.

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This section lists the subjects commemorated on the memorial on this page:
Kensington Library - Caxton

Subjects commemorated i

William Caxton

Probably born Tenterden, Kent. Printer, in 1474, producing the first book pr...

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This section lists the subjects who helped to create/erect the memorial on this page:
Kensington Library - Caxton

Created by i

William McMillan

Born Aberdeen, Scotland. During the WW1 he was awarded the British and Victor...

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This section lists the other memorials at the same location as the memorial on this page:
Kensington Library - Caxton

Also at this site i

Kensington Library - clock

Kensington Library - clock

The clock can be seen in our site picture and you'll undestand why we chose t...

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Kensington Library - Environment

Kensington Library - Environment

OK, not a memorial, but a pretty plaque that we could not resist (nor photogr...

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Kensington Library - Princess Alice Garden - created

Kensington Library - Princess Alice Garden - created

This garden was created in 1982 by the Kensington Society in memory of Prince...

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Kensington Library - Princess Alice Garden - unveiled

Kensington Library - Princess Alice Garden - unveiled

Princess Alice Countess of Athlone Memorial Garden This tablet was unveiled b...

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Nearby Memorials

Mosaics - Queen Elizabeth II

Mosaics - Queen Elizabeth II

EC4, New Change, One New Change - roof terrace

One New Change: "The mosaics were originally located within the main entrance lobby of the New Change Building, a home to Bank of England...

1 subject commemorated, 1 creator
Grosvenor Hotel - head 11

Grosvenor Hotel - head 11

SW1, Buckingham Palace Road, Grosvenor Hotel

This 1860 building, by architect James Knowles Snr, is studded with many portrait busts of which we believe only these 14 are representat...

Shakespeare at Holborn Town Hall

Shakespeare at Holborn Town Hall

WC1, High Holborn, former Holborn Town Hall, 193-7

Above the entrance on the left "Public Library" and in the stone decorations: "1908" and "HBC" for Holborn Borough Council.  Details on t...

1 subject commemorated
Morley mosaics - WBR - Eva Hubback

Morley mosaics - WBR - Eva Hubback

SE1, Westminster Bridge Road, Morley College

Left to right: Cons, Martineau, Hubback, Baylis. In our photo the pedestrian has just walked past Baylis. These mosaics are on the Maufe...

2 subjects commemorated, 4 creators
Bust at Holland House - unknown

Bust at Holland House - unknown

W8, Holland House

We think this visage probably represents an ancient sage, probably Greek or Roman: Socrates, Homer, etc., but which one?