Grave of Sir John Barrow and monument to Charles Dibdin

Image: © Natasha Ceridwen de Chroustchoff Taken: 8 Jan 2008

Sir John Barrow (1764-1848) was a traveller, mapmaker, naval administrator and founder of the Royal Geographical Society in 1830. As Second Secretary to the Admiralty, a post he held for 40 years, he promoted a number of exploring expeditions in West Africa and the Arctic, notably that of Sir John Franklin, as well as being to a large measure responsible for the naval successes of the Napoleonic Wars. See http://www.sirjohnbarrowmonument.co.uk/sir_john_barrow_contents.htm Charles Dibdin (1745-1814), songwriter, musician, dramatist and actor, also had a nautical connection in that his sea songs were said to be worth ten thousand sailors to the cause of England and were officially appropriated by the British navy to use during the war with France. His life was marred by scandal and misfortune and despite great acclaim he died poor. However this Celtic Cross memorial was erected by public subscription in 1889 after his original tomb collapsed. A verse from his well-known song Tom Bowling (written about his brother) is inscribed upon it: His form was of the manliest beauty, His heart was kind and soft, Faithful, below, he did his duty; But now he's gone aloft. See http://www.contemplator.com/history/dibdin.html In St Martin's Gardens, Camden Town.

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