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

Jellicoe bust

Jellicoe bust

WC2, Trafalgar Square

Left to right these busts are: Cunningham, Jellicoe and Beatty, that well known legal firm. (Unusually there is an error in the Margaret ...

1 subject commemorated, 2 creators
Keats House at Guy's - bust 1 - William Harvey

Keats House at Guy's - bust 1 - William Harvey

SE1, St Thomas Street, 24-26, Keats House

The collar, the hair-line, the facial growths - we hope you agree that this is Harvey.

1 subject commemorated, 1 creator
Caxton Hall - head 5 - unidentified

Caxton Hall - head 5 - unidentified

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 v...

Colet - Colet Court

Colet - Colet Court

W6, Hammersmith Road, Colet Court

The bust is above the 1st floor windows, just distinguishable in our photo, above the large red sign. Above the entrance at the east end ...

1 subject commemorated
Owen Owen

Owen Owen

WC2, Kingsway, Kingsway House, 99-107 (odd)

The architect for this 1906 building was Arthur Sykes (1862 - 1940) who also built this Oxford Street/Stratford Place corner block, See P...

1 subject commemorated