Thank you, Simon. It's such an interesting place and I will be telling more of the stories of the men and women buried there soon - including Caroline Reynolds Jebb, whose ashes were brought back from the USA to be interred in her husband Richard Claverhouse Jebb's tomb.
This is a fascinating read, especially the interplay of life that you see as an ecologist, your reflections on human life, and the home to the dead that the place is! I was a bit thrown off at first by the word party, but all nuances of the word apply:) Having grown up in an Eastern culture, I still have reticence to be quite comfortable with graveyards, but I was always fascinated with graveyards of famous authors. Lastly, Grenoble! That’s the beloved birthplace of French author, Stendhal—he talks about it in his works…many years since I heard that name:)
Thank you Anu, and I can see how the word 'working party' might be confusing. I'm just so impressed by the work done that these dedicated teams of volunteers, including Anne Thomas. I recently visited Cambridge's Mill Road Cemetery (less prestigious, but just as storied) - it was also a beautiful place, but at risk of turning into a green wilderness.
It does—it’s a celebration of ecology! Stendhal—he was part of our graduate studies in French literature:) That’s the only reason we read his autobiography—there was a lot of Grenoble in it.
I’m looking for examples outside the American context but these could be an interesting starting place. I think there is so much about how we deal with loss and share space to be explored here!
Thanks so much Ellen, will enjoy reading those later. On a very offbeat side note, I was interested in how Prince Harry’s American ghostwriter placed so much significance on the Windsor Castle burial ground, both in the opening chapter and later, which seems to fit with this tradition.
Such a fascinating piece and I had no idea of its existence. I love how carefully you hold back the encroaching ivy and the poem by Frances Cornford. Altogether a delight.
Oh thanks Deborah! Often it's a place only spoken of in connection to its 'big names', understandably, but Anne gives us great insights into the work that goes into preserving it from nature taking over completely. The 'intertwining' of tree roots and ivy with the headstones is also a lovely thing - and Frances Cornford's poem is perfect for this place.
I found this much more interesting than who was buried there, although that is interesting too, it is how nature lives there too that is so refreshing to read.
Yes, I agree and love the emphasis on nature here. I do enjoy looking into the stories of some of the people there too - less the 'big names' than the women whose work has been obscured by passing time - and it's interesting that Frances Cornford shares a headstone with her father but not her mother Ellen Crofts Darwin, connecting to his famous Darwin family rather than hers (she was buried in Girton).
Poignant. My mum’s funeral/memorial service is this Friday. 🌿✨
Very sorry for your loss, James.
Thanks, Ann. 🕊✨️
A lovely little graveyard. Would like to hear more about who is buried there
Thank you, Simon. It's such an interesting place and I will be telling more of the stories of the men and women buried there soon - including Caroline Reynolds Jebb, whose ashes were brought back from the USA to be interred in her husband Richard Claverhouse Jebb's tomb.
This is a fascinating read, especially the interplay of life that you see as an ecologist, your reflections on human life, and the home to the dead that the place is! I was a bit thrown off at first by the word party, but all nuances of the word apply:) Having grown up in an Eastern culture, I still have reticence to be quite comfortable with graveyards, but I was always fascinated with graveyards of famous authors. Lastly, Grenoble! That’s the beloved birthplace of French author, Stendhal—he talks about it in his works…many years since I heard that name:)
Thank you Anu, and I can see how the word 'working party' might be confusing. I'm just so impressed by the work done that these dedicated teams of volunteers, including Anne Thomas. I recently visited Cambridge's Mill Road Cemetery (less prestigious, but just as storied) - it was also a beautiful place, but at risk of turning into a green wilderness.
Yes, it’s dedication to say the least! Thank you both for bringing this story to life.
Haha you’re right, it seems strange to call it a party but I think it fits! And yes, Stendhal! I need to read him still, but I will!
It does—it’s a celebration of ecology! Stendhal—he was part of our graduate studies in French literature:) That’s the only reason we read his autobiography—there was a lot of Grenoble in it.
Ooh, good to know!
How beautiful! This makes me reflect on the way garden cemeteries used to be thought of as public third spaces to be used and enjoyed.
Thank you Ellen, I'd love to read more about this idea of garden cemeteries - can you recommend any articles/books?
Hi!
Here is an article that includes an interview with Keith Eggener (PhD) the author of Cemeteries (https://www.theatlantic.com/national/archive/2011/03/our-first-public-parks-the-forgotten-history-of-cemeteries/71818/). It explores the way the living have interacted cemeteries in America over time and how the design of these liminal third spaces has changed.
Aaron Sachs’ book Arcadian America: The Death and Life of an Environmental Tradition is also on my reading list.
The following article also has some great images of people using cemeteries as communal spaces (https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/picnic-in-cemeteries-america).
I’m looking for examples outside the American context but these could be an interesting starting place. I think there is so much about how we deal with loss and share space to be explored here!
Hope something here is of interest :)
Thanks so much Ellen, will enjoy reading those later. On a very offbeat side note, I was interested in how Prince Harry’s American ghostwriter placed so much significance on the Windsor Castle burial ground, both in the opening chapter and later, which seems to fit with this tradition.
Yes! Even the name of the “Royal Vault” carries so much cultural weight.
Ps I have just noticed how the tree roots cradle Susan Warren's memorial- such a tender image.
Such a fascinating piece and I had no idea of its existence. I love how carefully you hold back the encroaching ivy and the poem by Frances Cornford. Altogether a delight.
Oh thanks Deborah! Often it's a place only spoken of in connection to its 'big names', understandably, but Anne gives us great insights into the work that goes into preserving it from nature taking over completely. The 'intertwining' of tree roots and ivy with the headstones is also a lovely thing - and Frances Cornford's poem is perfect for this place.
I found this much more interesting than who was buried there, although that is interesting too, it is how nature lives there too that is so refreshing to read.
Yes, I agree and love the emphasis on nature here. I do enjoy looking into the stories of some of the people there too - less the 'big names' than the women whose work has been obscured by passing time - and it's interesting that Frances Cornford shares a headstone with her father but not her mother Ellen Crofts Darwin, connecting to his famous Darwin family rather than hers (she was buried in Girton).
My great grandparents and grandparents grave is there; I love it