Memorial to Dean Ramsay

George Gilbert Scott (designer); executed by Francis Skidmore

c.1872

Richly ornamented bronze

Chancel of St John the Evanglist, Princes Street, Edinburgh

[Click on image to enlarge it.]

Caption and commentary by Jacqueline Banerjee.

[You may use this image without prior permission for any scholarly or educational purpose as long as you (1) credit the source and (2) link your document to this URL in a web document or cite the Victorian Web in a print document.]

This glowing memorial commemorates Dean Edward Bannerman Ramsay (1793-1872), author of the immensely popular Scottish Life and Reminiscences.

The inscription tells us that Ramsay had been Dean of the Diocese for thirty years, and had "greatly endeared himself to his fellow countrymen of every class by his writing and by an example of good will to all men...." He had been appointed as a minister to St John's in 1830, becoming Dean in 1841, and was indeed known for his philanthropy as well as for his ministry. Both elaborate and intricate, the memorial shows how well Scott and Skidmore collaborated, and provides a brilliant example of Skidmore's highly embellished metalwork.

Related Material

• Dean Ramsay's Celtic Cross in St John's graveyard (with bronze relief-panels by Skidmore)

Source

"St John's Monuments." Leaflet available at the church.

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Last modified 1 February 2012