Glasgow Necropolis, Glasgow

The Glasgow Necropolis is a major cemetery laid out from 1833 on similar principles to Père-Lachaise in Paris. It occupies a steep hill overlooking Glasgow Cathedral and is dramatically organised around Thomas Hamilton's statue of John Knox (1825), a Greek work by sculptor Robert Forrest. The cemetery opened in May 1833 and contains a significant series of mausolea and monuments of considerable architectural importance.

The documented and inscribed monuments include:

The Catacombs (John Bryce, 1836) feature a Jacobean ashlar facade to the intended catacombs. The Facade of Jews Enclosure (John Bryce, circa 1836) is modelled after Absalom's Tomb in King's Dale, Jerusalem, consisting of a tall column, gateway with scroll-work arch, and much inscribed with extracts from Byron and Scripture.

The A O Beattie Monument (Alexander Thomson, 1858), commemorating the minister of St Vincent Street Up Church, comprises an obelisk and urn with tomb chest on a base of polygonal masonry. The Robert Black Mausoleum (circa 1837 or 1859) is a Greek mausoleum with Doric columns in antis. The William Motherwell Monument (James Fillans, 1851) features a bust in a Tudor canopy with an unusual incised figured frieze.

The Buchanans of Bellfield Mausoleum (Mossman, circa 1884) is a Greek mausoleum, astylar with draped urns. The Egyptian Vaults (John Bryce, 1837) feature Egyptian styling with a large gateway and cast-iron gate leading to vaults.

The John Dick Monument (Robert Black, 1838) is an Ionic rotunda and vase on a hexagonal base. The Ewing of Strathleven Monument (John Baird I, architect; Mossman, sculptor, 1857) comprises a granite tomb-chest on a plinth with fine metal bas-reliefs and a portrait.

The W Rae Wilson Monument (J A Bell of Edinburgh, A Maclean sculptor, circa 1840) is an octagonal domed Moorish kiosk. The John Houldsworth Mausoleum (John Thomas, 1854) is Graeco-Egyptian in style, a top-lit mausoleum containing sculptured groups representing Faith, Hope and Charity.

The Charles Clark Mackirdy Monument (James Thomson I.A. FRIBA of Baird and Thomson, sculptor David Buchanan, 1891) is a finely detailed Choragic Corinthian rotunda. The G M Middleton Monument (Mossman, 1866) is an obelisk of Alexander Thomson type.

The Reverend Robert Muter D.D. Monument (John Stephen of Scott Stephen and Gale, 1845) is Greek, comprising four Doric columns enclosing a small sarcophagus. The John Henry Alexander Monument (James Hamilton architect, A Handyside Ritchie sculptor, 1851), commemorating the actor-manager, is an elaborate theatrical monument with a proscenium and curtains enclosing the inscription.

The William McGavin Monument (John Bryce architect, Robert Forrest sculptor, 1834) is a large Baroque monument with a statue. The Dunn of Dunotcher Monument (J T Rochead, W and R Nicholl Glasgow builders, circa 1849) is a severe classical composition with large Roman Doric angle pilasters, a dome, and massive base.

The Archd. Douglas Monteith Mausoleum (David Cousin of Edinburgh, 1842) is Neo-Norman in style, an elaborate "Temple Church" type. The Buchanan of Dowanhill Monument (James Brown of Brown and Carrick, 1844) is Greek Choragic type with two-stage superimposed Corinthian orders.

The Aikens of Dalmoak Mausoleum, shared with Barton Aiken of Kipperoch and Belch of Drumoyne (James Hamilton I.A., circa 1875), is Graeco-Renaissance with a dome and granite-shafted columns. The James Davidson of Ruchill Mausoleum (J T Rochead, Hamilton and Miller sculptors, 1851) is Greek, a rectangular temple with anta pilastrade with screens between; gates by Sun Foundry.

The Peter Lawrence Monument (Mossman, 1840), commemorating the sculptor, has a circular base with a portrait roundel and a figure symbolic of life with a dashed torch. The Lawrie Family Monument (J Smith, Shanks sculptor, mid 19th century) is Greek, a mural with pedimented centre.

The Sloan Family Monument (James Hamilton of D and J Hamilton, circa 1836) comprises a pedestal scrolled at the base and capped by an urn. The Walter Macfarlane Monument (ob. 1885) is a mural monument with a bronze panel by Bertram MacKennel of London (1896). The Constance and Robert Miller Monument (John Keppie, circa 1893) features an aedicular frame, Greek in style, in red and grey granite with bronze capitals and detail.

The Neilson of Arnewood Monument dates to circa 1895 by James Thomson.

The cemetery also contains memorials of lesser architectural interest, including monuments to Lord Kelvin (ob. 17.2.1907) and family; John Baird, architect (ob. 18.12.1859, aged 61); Alexander Stephen, engineer (ob. 1891); and Alexander Allen, shipowner. The architect John A Campbell is also commemorated.