Pablo Fanque
Pablo Fanque (1796-1871) was the owner of the “Pablo Fanque Royal Circus”, which was the most popular circus in Victorian England for more than three decades. His wife, Susannah Darby (nee Marlaw), who died after The collapse of the Fanque large roof at The Headrow, Leeds, in 1848, was buried with him (University of Leeds Library, 2024).
LP Sergeant sings on the Beatles‘ song “Being for the Benefit of Kite! Pablo Fanque was mentioned.
Edward Baines and Sir Edward Baines
Edward Baines (1774-1848) and his son, Sir Edward Baines (1800-1890), were laid to rest in the cemetery. The elder Edward Baines was a printer who later acquired the Leeds Mercury newspaper and assumed its influential editorial role.
He served as an MP for Leeds and held the position of Justice of the Peace. Following in his father's footsteps, Edward Baines Jr embarked on a similar career trajectory. Initially employed as a journalist, he eventually partnered with his father at the Leeds Mercury in 1827. Baines Jr also pursued political aspirations, becoming an MP himself and playing a pivotal role in establishing the Yorkshire College of Science in 1884. Both men served as trustees for the Leeds General Cemetery Company since its inception during the 1830s. (Thornton, 1999)
John Atkinson Grimshaw
John Atkinson Grimshaw (6 September 1836 – 13 October 1893) was a notable Victorian-era artist born in Leeds. He died by tuberculosis and is buried in Woodhouse Cemetery, now called St George‘s Fields, in Leeds (University of Leeds Library, 2024).
He initially showcased his artwork in 1862, primarily focusing on avian species, various fruits, and blooming flora. This exhibition was made possible through the support of the Leeds Philosophical and Literary Society. (Steer, 2002)
The artwork of this artist prominently featured moonlit city and suburban streets, as well as the docks in London, Hull, Liverpool, and Glasgow. Through his depictions of dampened gas-lit streets and misty waterfronts, he conveyed a sense of eerie warmth alongside feelings of alienation within urban environments. (Waller, 1983)
Charles Hull VC
Charles Hull VC, born on 24th July 1890 and passed away on 21st February 1953, was honored with the Victoria Cross for displaying exceptional bravery in the face of the enemy during World War I while serving in British India's Northwest Frontier. In a remarkable act of heroism, Hull rescued a fellow officer who had lost his horse due to enemy fire. Despite being under heavy gunfire, he swiftly pulled him onto his own horse and galloped to safety.
Charles passed away at his residence, located at 11 Chapel Place in Leeds. He was laid to rest in an unmarked burial site within Woodhouse Lane Cemetery, also situated in Leeds. However, the cemetery underwent levelling procedures in 1969 and is presently incorporated into the premises of the University of Leeds. To commemorate his memory, a memorial plaque has been installed on the former chapel of the old cemetery. (University of Leeds Library, 2024).
AR interaction in George Field Cemetery at the University of Leeds
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References List
Steer, I. 2002. The History of British Art, Bath: Parragon. ISBN 0-7525-7602-X. p. 154.
Thornton, D. 1999. Mr Mercury: a biographical study of Edward Baines with special reference to his role as editor, author and politician. PhD thesis, University of Leeds.
University of Leeds Library. 2024. Notable Burials. [Online]. [Accessed 9 May 2024]. Available from: https://library.leeds.ac.uk/special-collections/collection/731/notable_burial.
Waller, P. J. 1983. Town, City, and Nation. Oxford, Oxford University Press. p. 99.
