Charles Dickens's tomb

Charles Dickens's tomb


A carte-de-visite showing Charles Dickens's tomb in Poets' Corner in Westminster Abbey. His is the tomb on the ground, marked in this photograph by the black cross.

Before he died Dickens specifically asked for a simple tomb. In accordance with his wishes, today the tomb is marked with a plain black marble slab, albeit with the inscription picked out in shiny brass letters.

In fact, Dickens wanted to be buried somewhere else entirely, but the public and the press thought there was only one location suitable for his final resting place.

'No definite arrangements have yet been made regarding the funeral of Mr Charles Dickens. It is said that he frequently expressed a wish to be buried as near as possible to the ruins of Rochester Castle, and that he had in fact indicated the spot where he wished to be interred. [...] The Times urges that Westminster Abbey is the proper place. We possess, it says, a shrine in which, from age to age, the last remains of many of our noblest, bravest, wisest, and best have not unworthily been laid. Westminster Abbey, moreover, is the peculiar resting place of English literary genius; and among those whose sacred dust lies there, or whose names are recorded on the walls, very few are more worthy than Charles Dickens of such a home. Fewer still, we believe, will be regarded with more honour as time passes and his greatness grows upon us. [...] The Abbey, as the shrine of English grief, would be incomplete without him. We see, indeed, that with the modesty which especially distinguished him, he has in his will expressed a wish to be buried with as much simplicity and privacy as possible. If his relations should think it their duty to adhere to this direction, we shall defer to their decision with profound respect. But the Dean of Westminster at all events is not precluded from preferring a request that Dickens may be buried in the only tomb in England worth of him. [...] Should such a proposal be made to the representatives of Dickens, and should they be disposed to yield to it, they may at least be sure that popular feeling will absolve them of any disrespect to the wishes of the dead' (Sheffield Independent, 14 June 1870).

Photographed by the London Stereoscopic and Photographic Company.
 


Code: 128140
© Paul Frecker 2025