Near Shakspeare’s monument is the bust of Robert Burns, the Scottish poet, who died in 1796.
A window in the former Baptistery commemorates two well known English poets who were both educated at Westminster School. These are George Herbert, who really belongs to the Stuart times, and William Cowper, who died in 1800. George Herbert’s poems are all on sacred subjects, and Cowper wrote some of the hymns which are very familiar to us all. But Cowper also wrote other things, some of the best known of his poems being the Task and John Gilpin. This window was given to the Abbey by Mr. Childs, of Philadelphia.
One of the greatest names of the eighteenth century is that of the famous musician, George Frederick Handel, the composer of the “Messiah” and many other splendid works. He died in 1759 and was buried in Poets’ Corner. His monument is by Roubiliac, and represents Handel holding the music of his famous song, “I know that my Redeemer liveth.” Just below his monument is a medallion in memory of the great Swedish singer, Jenny Lind-Goldschmidt, who died in 1889, and who used to sing that very song so finely. The same words are carved on her monument also.
When Charles Dickens was buried in 1870, the coffin of Handel was seen by those who were present at the funeral.
While we are speaking of musicians it will be interesting to note that Dr. Burney, author of the well-known History of Music, has a monument in the Musicians’ aisle.
The monuments to Dr. Isaac Watts, the well-known hymn-writer, and to John and Charles Wesley, are in the South Choir aisle, and bring back the memory of men who did great work in the eighteenth century, work that still has much influence in England.
Several of the eminent doctors of the eighteenth century are buried in the Abbey. Such are Richard Mead, physician to George II, who died in 1754; Dr. John Freind, a favourite of George II and Queen Caroline, who died in 1728; and Dr. Hugh Chamberlen, who also died in 1728.
Another man who was famous in a very different way was James Watt, the inventor of the steam-engine. He has a monument in St. Paul’s Chapel. It is of giant size, and actually broke down the pavement in the Chapel when it was brought in. Watt died in 1819.
William Horneck, one of the earliest of our great English engineers, is buried in the South Transept, and has a memorial tablet in the North-West Tower. He died in 1746.
We will add to our list of eighteenth century men the names of two inventors, who are buried side by side in the Nave. These are (1) Thomas Tompion, who died in 1713. He was called the “Father of English Watch-making,” because of the many improvements he introduced in the art of making clocks and watches. (2) George Graham, who died in 1751, nephew and pupil of Tompion. He invented a curious astronomical instrument called the “Orrery,” so named after Lord Orrery, who is also buried in the Abbey.