Bust

Knightsbridge - 5 - Temple

Erection date: 1905

We original thought this was Gladstone (who had died only a few years before) but Lea Cornthwaite has suggested Frederick Temple, pointing out the clothing looks religious, and we think that is a better match (the hair in particular).

Site: Knightsbridge - 6 busts (6 memorials)

SW1, Knightsbridge, 55 - 91

This huge building, Grade 2 listed and in need of a clean, is actually 18 buildings behind a unifying facade designed by W. D. Caroe, in red brick with stone dressings in an eclectic Queen Anne/Flemish style. 1902 - 5. Built as a mansion block but unusually there were seven developers who designed their own segments behind the facade.

A 2010 planning application contains a few drawings and early photographs but there is no mention of these busts, numbered here left to right.  

When we published these 6 busts we were pretty confident with our identification of heads 1 and 2 but were struggling to identify the others.  Readers quickly sent in some helpful suggestions, readers more familiar with the faces of celebrities from that period than we are.  So we have corrected our identifications, but if you think we still have it wrong please let us know.

The second floor corner at Wilton Place carries a rather splendid royal crest with the top-most lion looking more like a lap-dog.

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This section lists the subjects commemorated on the memorial on this page:
Knightsbridge - 5 - Temple

Subjects commemorated i

Frederick Temple, Bishop of London

Born Greece. Bought up in Devon. 1876 married Beatrice Blanche Lascelles. Bis...

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This section lists the other memorials at the same location as the memorial on this page:
Knightsbridge - 5 - Temple

Also at this site i

Knightsbridge - 3 - Roberts

Knightsbridge - 3 - Roberts

Stephen Brasher suggested that this is Field Marshal Lord Roberts and, having...

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Knightsbridge - 4 - Kitchener

Knightsbridge - 4 - Kitchener

Stalin?  Can't be - for so many reasons, one being that he didn't look like t...

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Knightsbridge - 6 - Salisbury

Knightsbridge - 6 - Salisbury

Lea Cornthwaite suggested this might be the Duke of Cambridge. Stephen Brashe...

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Nearby Memorials

Keib Thomas bust

Keib Thomas bust

SE5, Burgess Park, Chumleigh World Garden

The bust was commissioned from Calcutta, "a spiritual home for Keib". His bust in the Islamic garden depicts a great listener & story...

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Walsingham

Walsingham

EC3, Seething Lane, 35, Walsingham House

This is is the site of Walsingham's mansion, where he died in 1590.  In 1656 the Navy Office was erected.  Follow that link for more info...

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09 Croydon - Lord Macaulay

09 Croydon - Lord Macaulay

CR9, Katharine Street, Croydon Public Library

Built in 1892 by Charles Henman Jr. this heavily decorated complex of buildings makes up Croydon's Town Hall. The building and the rounde...

1 subject commemorated, 1 creator
Morley Mosaics - KEW - Annie McCall

Morley Mosaics - KEW - Annie McCall

SE1, King Edward Walk, Morley College

These 10 portrait mosaics are the result of a project by Morley College to celebrate the achievements of significant women who have lived...

1 subject commemorated, 3 creators
National Portrait Gallery - Lely

National Portrait Gallery - Lely

WC2, Charing Cross Road

This building, 1896, designed by Ewan Christian, has 18 busts contained in medallions around the top of the facades. Starting at the east...

1 subject commemorated