Modelled on Pere Lachaise Cemetery in Paris, the Glasgow Necropolis first opened for burial in 1832 and has been a haunt for cemetery tourists ever since. Dominated by its memorial obelisk to John Knox, the Necropolis is a living testament to Victorian funerary excesses and the nineteenth century's obsession with death, sometimes referred to as the Cult of the Dead. Here, Ronnie Scott surveys the architecture of the Necropolis's monuments, graves and mausoleums and the architects who built them. And he also tells the stories of the folk who inhabit the Necropolis or City of the Dead, as the word necropolis translates. Unlike Pere Lachaise, the Necropolis in Glasgow may not be able to boast of being the last resting place of anyone quite as famous as Oscar Wilde, Jim Morrison or Edith Piaf but it does have its share of celebrity corpses. By the middle of nineteenth century, anyone who was anyone in Glasgow was buried there or had a Necropolis monument erected to their memory. The designer of the Royal Yacht Britannia, industrialists like Charles Tennent and Lord Kelvin, a Polish freedom fighter, they're all here and all have their own interesting stories - as do some of the rather less well-respected occupants, such as the professor of anatomy who encouraged body-snatching. The architecture of the tombs, gravestones and memorials is as varied as the lives the citizens of the Necropolis led - and sometimes just as flamboyant. The men, such as Alexander 'Greek' Thomson, who designed Glasgow's city-centre buildings during the period when it was second only to London in terms of prosperity also had a hand in creating the Necropolis and their life stories are covered here too.
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About the Author
Ronnie Scott is a cemetery historian who has spent four years researching the Glasgow Necropolis for his PhD thesis. He regularly leads guided tours of the Necropolis and gives presentations on cemetery development and body-snatching.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
11 of 12 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This excellent book traces the history of one of Glagow's best-kept tourist secrets, from the original grand scheme for a garden cemetery in the heart of the city, right through to current times.
Well researched, highly informative and witty, Death by Design offers us a timely reminder that, as Ronnie Scott says 'cemeteries are for the living'. Buy, then go and visit.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
On a hill to the east of Glasgow Cathedral stands the Glasgow Necropolis, sprawled across 37 acres of land. This Victorian cemetary was officially opened in 1833, A few of the tombs were designed by Alexander Thomson. At the top of the hill is the statue of John Knox, which is surrounded by beautifully designed monuments glorifying those who helped to make Glasgow a great industrial city.
Ronnie Scott's little book takes you for a walk through this `city of the dead' and describes in detail some of stories behind the monuments. Ronnie Scott's style of writing is informative but also humourous. Of particular interest to me was the last section, `What some of the symbols mean', where he tells why symbols such as butterflies or grapes appear on the monuments.
On my walk around the Necopolis, I took this little book with me. It served as a fascinating guide and a great history lesson. Even if you never visit Glasgow or its Necropolis, this book will still intrigue you, especially when you find out all about the famous people who have lain there for many years - in peace.
Ronnie Scott's little book takes you for a walk through this `city of the dead' and describes in detail some of stories behind the monuments. Ronnie Scott's style of writing is informative but also humourous. Of particular interest to me was the last section, `What some of the symbols mean', where he tells why symbols such as butterflies or grapes appear on the monuments.
On my walk around the Necopolis, I took this little book with me. It served as a fascinating guide and a great history lesson. Even if you never visit Glasgow or its Necropolis, this book will still intrigue you, especially when you find out all about the famous people who have lain there for many years - in peace.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By D. Campbell
Format:Paperback
exccellnt guide to this piece of glasgow history. it will serve as a guide when i visit the necrepolis.
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