Burdett-Coutts Memorial Sundial facts for kids
The Burdett Coutts Memorial Sundial is a special monument in the churchyard of St Pancras Old Church in London. It was built between 1877 and 1879. A kind and wealthy woman named Baroness Burdett-Coutts asked for it to be made. This sundial is a memorial to many people buried in the churchyard whose graves were moved. This happened when the Midland Railway built its tracks to St Pancras station. The churchyard became a public park in 1877.
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What is the Burdett Coutts Sundial?
The sundial is a tall, fancy structure. It was designed in a style called Victorian Gothic. This means it looks like old churches from the Gothic period. The main part is a tall tower. On top of the tower is a sundial. It tells time using the sun's shadow.
Who Designed the Sundial?
George Highton from Brixton designed this impressive monument. A company called H Daniel and Co. built it. They were masons, which means they worked with stone. The sundial also has cool carvings by an artist named Signor Facigna.
What Does the Sundial Look Like?
The sundial has a tall, square tower. It's made of Portland limestone. This stone is very strong and white. The tower has columns made of pink and grey granite. Granite is a very hard rock. There are also four marble plaques. These plaques have carvings of two saints, St Giles and St Pancras. They also show two figures: a young "Morning" with a rooster and an older "Night" with a star and moon.
Special Inscriptions and Decorations
The marble panels have important words written on them. They include parts of the Beatitudes from the Gospel of Matthew. There is also a religious poem. The tower stands on a square base. This base is made of Portland stone. It sits on three steps of red sandstone. These steps have pretty mosaic patterns. The patterns look like flowers.
Animals and Railings
Iron railings surround the whole monument. They make a square area around it. At each corner of the railings, there is a stone animal statue. There are two lions and two dogs. Some people think the dogs might look like Greyfriars Bobby. He was a famous dog from Scotland. Or, they might be modeled after a dog owned by Baroness Burdett-Coutts herself. The railings also have a plaque for Johann Christian Bach. He was a famous musician buried nearby.
Why Was the Sundial Built?
The sundial is a memorial to people whose graves were moved. This happened when the railway was built in 1865. The churchyard was very old. Many people were buried there, including Catholics and French people who had moved to England. The sundial lists the names of over 70 of these people. It helps remember them.
Famous People on the Memorial
Many interesting people are listed on the sundial. Here are a few:
- Chevalier d'Éon: A French diplomat and spy who lived as both a man and a woman.
- John Flaxman: A famous sculptor.
- Sir John Soane: A very important architect who designed the Bank of England.
- James Leoni: Another well-known architect.
- John Walker: He wrote a famous dictionary.
- Tiberius Cavallo: A scientist who studied electricity.
- Maurice Margarot: A political reformer who wanted to change society.
The Sundial's Importance Today
The Burdett Coutts Memorial Sundial is a very important historical structure. It became a listed building in 1993. This means it is protected because of its special history and design. In 2016, its protection level was increased to Grade II*. This shows how valuable it is. The churchyard itself is also listed. Even St Pancras Old Church is a Grade II* listed building.
Images for kids
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Detail of mosaics
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Railings
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Inscription and bust of Night
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Inscription and bust of Morning
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Inscription and bust of St Giles
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