The style of this mausoleum might be described as ‘Neo-Greek Revival’. A smooth stone block with sloping sides, a jutting cornice and prominent acroteria, rises above a square rusticated base. Steps lead down to an arched entrance with iron gates and fanlight.
Possibly Jesse Gibson
Greek Revival
Grade II (England and Wales)
c1804
The mausoleum of Sir Joseph William Bazalgette (1819-91), Chief Engineer to the Metropolitan Board of Works, 1855-89, creator of the main London trunk sewer system, 1858-75, and the Thames Embankment, 1862-74. The mausoleum was originally built by "Mr Gibson of Hackney" for John Anthony Rucker who died in 1804 and was interred in one of the nine vaults of the mausoleum, but since he had no children he languished alone in his tomb for over seventy years. His wastrel nephew, Daniel Henry Rucker, his main beneficiary, sold the mausoleum which was bought by Sir Joseph Bazalgette, who still lies therein with six members of his family, as belated company for their strange bedfellow, Rucker. The mausoleum was described by W A Bartlett in "The History and Antiquities of the Parish of Wimbledon, Surrey" (1865) as a 'pyramid with an iron railing and vault underneath', and it is possible that the whole thing may have been rebuilt and/or enlarged by Sir Joseph.
At risk. The doors are rusted and decaying, bricks are missing from the walls beside the steps, and there is some splitting and cracking in the stonework. The gates to the enclosure are also missing. (Merton Borough Council has put the mausoleum on its "Buildings at Risk" register. Ivy has been cleared and the ironwork has been repainted (2014).
Dictionary of National Biography.
Charles Bazalgette: "" a biography of Louis Bazalgette, Sir Joseph Bazalgette's grandfather.
St Mary's Chuch, Wimbledon website
None
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Please note: The location information below is approximate - we are in the process of improving the accuracy.
Churchyard of St Mary
St Marys Road
Wimbledon
London Borough of Merton
SW19 7BP
England