Bust

Kensington Library - Chaucer

Inscription

Chaucer

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 - Chaucer

Subjects commemorated i

Geoffrey Chaucer

Poet and administrator. Whilst living in the Aldgate, as the ‘Comptroller of ...

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

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 - Chaucer

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

Homer bust

Homer bust

SE1, Queen Elizabeth Street

The figures either side represent Poetry and History. Ornamental Passions has no doubt that this bust portrays Homer. Who are we to argue?

1 subject commemorated, 1 creator
Hogarth - Harrow on the Hill

Hogarth - Harrow on the Hill

HA1, Grove Hill, Art School

Looking to connect Hogarth with Harrow we found: c.1800 Crown Street in Harrow was named Hogarth Lane; and Hogarth painted the Graham Chi...

1 subject commemorated
Morley mosaics - WBR - Lilian Baylis

Morley mosaics - WBR - Lilian Baylis

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...

4 subjects commemorated, 3 creators
Grosvenor Hotel - head 01

Grosvenor Hotel - head 01

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...

Drill Hall - head 3 - Foreign Legion soldier

Drill Hall - head 3 - Foreign Legion soldier

W1, Chenies Street, Drill Hall

In the spandrels above the entrance door: "Bloomsbury Rifles Pro Patria Semper" ('for my country always'). The technique used for this le...