Monument to Captain Robert Faulknor (d. 1795) St. Paul's Cathedral, City of London. [Click on photograph to enlarge it.] With thanks to the Dean and Chapter of St Paul’s Cathedral.
This dramatic tableau is by Nottingham-born John Charles Felix Rossi (1762-1839). According to E. M. Cummings, “The design represents Neptune seated on a rock in the centre, and turning eagerly round to the right to catch in his arms a naked figure of the dying sailor, who is portrayed with a shield on one arm, and a broken sword in his right hand. On the left is victory about to crown him with a wreath of laurel”(28). The inscription explains that the monument was erected” by the British Parliament to commemorate Captain Robert Faulknor's bravery. Born in 1763, Faulknor was killed in a sea battle which he fought against great odds, and was winning by a dramatic manoeuvre — only to be killed in the moment of victory. The inscription tells us that he died "on the 5th of January, 1795, in the 32nd year of his age."
Photograph 2011 and formatting by George P. Landow. text by Landow and Jacqueline Banerjee. [You may use these images without prior permission for any scholarly or educational purpose as long as you (1) credit the photographer and (2) link your document to this URL in a web document or cite the Victorian Web in a print one.]
Bibliography
Cummings, E. M. The Companion to St Paul's Cathedral: Containing a Description of the Various Objects Worthy Attention, and Its History, etc.. 31st ed. London: published” by the author, 1867. Internet Archive. Harvard University Library. Web. 2 August 2014.
Created 2 August 2014
Last modified 3 February 2020