“As we enter the
massive portals and hear the echo of our footsteps intruding on the
awful silence of this cold, stony death-palace, we might almost
fancy ourselves treading through the mysterious corridors of an
Egyptian temple.”
William Justyne’s 1865 Guide to Highgate Cemetery offers us a
glimpse into the imposing Egyptian Avenue of Highgate Cemetery,
London. However, Highgate is not the only London Cemetery to borrow
inspiration from Ancient Egyptian monuments, tombs and temples.
Abney Park Temple Lodges, designed by William Hosking, are composed
mainly of stone building materials in an Egyptian Revival style.
And there is the tomb of Hannah Courtoy in Brompton cemetery,
designed by renowned Egyptologist Joseph Bonomi, who was convinced
that he had discovered the secrets of time travel through studying
Egyptian hieroglyphics. According to local legend, the tomb
contains a working time machine.
Whilst moss-covered obelisks and pyramids might seem a curious
sight in predominantly Christian burial-grounds, it is reflective
of Victorian society that took a delight in all things
‘Egyptomania’. This talk will explore how London’s graveyards went
from places of a “foul smelling, slimy mass of putrefaction” to
delightful garden cemeteries where the wealthy dead had their
mortal remains entombed in Egyptian-style graves.
Michelle Keeley
Michelle Keeley holds a
master's degree in Egyptology from the University of Liverpool.
Currently, she is deeply engrossed in conducting independent
research on Joseph Bonomi the Younger and the fascinating
phenomenon of Egyptomania during the Victorian era in England. Her
focus lies specifically on Victorian Egyptian Revival architecture,
with a keen interest in studying funerary structures. Notably, she
serves as the editor of the renowned Magazine of the International
Society for the Study of Egyptomania.
| Ticket | Event time | Cost |
|---|---|---|
|
Valley of the Kings
Includes a delightful gin cocktail
|
19:00 - 21:30 | £12.00 |
Address
Highgate Cemetery West, The Chapel, Swain's Lane, Highgate, N6 6PJ
Nearest Station
Archway (Tube)
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