Bust

Caxton Hall - head 2 - Caxton

Normally both Chaucer and Caxton are shown with full beards but the facial hair on head number 6 looks slightly more like Chaucer's, which leaves this as Caxton. And we found one image of him beardless at Tenanbaum.

Site: Caxton Hall (12 memorials)

SW1, Caxton Street, 10, Caxton Hall

The foundation stone is low down at the right hand side of the building. Above each of the two statues is a bust, both of the Greek god variety rather than any particular mortal.

The 8 terracotta portraits, numbered left to right, are above the ground floor windows. We have identified 4 with varying degrees of confidence and we think the others probably include: John Locke, Isaac Newton, John Wesley. But with only hair style, facial hair and collars to go on it's just a guessing game. Have a go, bearing in mind that you are looking for men considered laudable in 1882. And dead - we don't think living men were ever honoured in this way.

Sorry our photos are not too good, but then, we have to say, the terracotta portraits are not the best quality themselves, though not as bad as this one.

Credit for this entry to: Alan Patient of www.plaquesoflondon.co.uk

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This section lists the subjects commemorated on the memorial on this page:
Caxton Hall - head 2 - 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 other memorials at the same location as the memorial on this page:
Caxton Hall - head 2 - Caxton

Also at this site i

Caxton Hall - foundation stone

Caxton Hall - foundation stone

The Town Hall Westminster This foundation stone was laid March 29th 1882 by t...

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Caxton Hall - head 1 - Milton

Caxton Hall - head 1 - Milton

But look at head 8 too, that's also a candidate for Milton.

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Caxton Hall - head 4 - unidentified

Caxton Hall - head 4 - unidentified

Possibly John Fisher, Bishop of Rochester. His hat is spot on (possibly sta...

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Nearby Memorials

Caxton Hall - head 4 - unidentified

Caxton Hall - head 4 - unidentified

SW1, Caxton Street, 10, Caxton Hall

Possibly John Fisher, Bishop of Rochester. His hat is spot on (possibly standard bishop-wear at the time) and although Fisher is normal...

Adelaide Stoll

Adelaide Stoll

WC2, St Martin's Lane, London Coliseum

The Alamy photo of the unveiling is dated 30 May 1925 and captioned: "A bust of Adelaide Stoll, mother of music hall impresario Sir Oswal...

1 subject commemorated, 1 creator
11 Croydon - Shakspere

11 Croydon - Shakspere

CR9, Katharine Street, Croydon Public Library

Built in 1892 by Charles Henman Jr. this heavily decorated group of buildings makes up Croydon's Municipal buildings complex. The buildin...

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

Reynolds - Harrow on the Hill

HA1, Grove Hill, Art School

We can find nothing to connect Reynolds with Harrow.

1 subject commemorated
Nash at Church of All Souls

Nash at Church of All Souls

W1, Langham Place

This simple spire was heavily criticised in its day, even sparking a Parliamentary debate.

2 subjects commemorated, 3 creators