William Makepeace Thackeray

Baron Marochetti

1865

White marble on a brown marble base

Poet's Corner

Westminster Abbey

London

Photograph, caption, and commentary by Jacqueline Banerjee, 2011

[You may use this image without prior permission for any scholarly or educational purpose as long as you (1) credit the photographer and (2) link your document to this UR, or credit it in a print document.]

Marochetti and Thackeray were neighbours in Onslow Square, Kensington, and Marochetti's studio was just behind their houses. The two families became friends, and Marochetti was among the many artists who attended Thackeray's funeral at Kensal Green Cemetery. He was the ideal choice of sculptor for this memorial bust. Yet perhaps it is not one of his best works. Thackeray had known more than his share of suffering, but it is hard to glimpse in this set face the personality of the man described by Trollope as "one of the most tender-hearted human beings I ever knew" (169).

Related Material

• Thackeray's grave at Kensal Green Cemetery

References

"History: William Makepeace Thackeray." Westminster Abbey offical site. Web. 17 Jan. 2011.

Trollope, Anthony. An Autobiography. London: Penguin, 1993.

---

Last modified 24 January 2011