Memorial to Bishop Samuel Wilberforce

The tomb of Bishop Wilberforce is situated in the South Transept of Winchester Cathedral and dates to 1878. It is the work of H.H. Armstead (sculptor, 1828-1905) and Sir George Scott (architect 1811-1878).

From The Victorian Web:

The third son of the famous abolitionist, Bishop Wilberforce had served as Archdeacon of Surrey and Dean of Westminster before becoming Lord Bishop of Oxford (1845-1869), and after that, from late 1869, Bishop of Winchester. He had also been Chaplain to Prince Albert, Lord High Almoner of the Royal Household (Wilberforce 320), and an important promoter of Anglican sisterhoods. Renowned as a speaker and for his anti-Darwinism, he was very much a national figure. His tendency to be unctuous earned him the nickname “Soapy Sam,” but he has been more respectfully designated “Remodeller of the Episcopate” (Mee 12).

Memorial to Bishop Samuel Wilberforce

4 Comments CherryPie on Dec 20th 2014

4 Responses to “Memorial to Bishop Samuel Wilberforce”

  1. Oh Jane Austen was burried there right?

  2. That’s a very fancy tomb. Somewhat ostentatious. I’d be rather embarrassed by it if it was mine (well I wouldn’t be cos I’d be dead, but you’ll know what I mean). I’m rather pleased my “tomb” will most likely be a few jars with any interesting bits pickled and the other bits eventually returned to the sky once the medical students have done with them.

    Anyway, I digress (as I tend to)… it looks to be quite a cathedral. Will put it on my list now that my son works in Cheltenham and the south of England may become a new visiting place.