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IN THE NEWS
TOUR OF THE MONTH
ON THIS DAY IN LONDON
23rd March 1933 Born today: Geoffrey Leigh, CEO (Allied London Properties)
23rd March 1905 Born today: Ralph Perring, Lord Mayor (London)
23rd March 1889 The free Woolwich ferry service was launched by Sir Joseph Bazalgette.
23rd March 1861 London's 1st tramcars, designed by Mr Train of NY, begins operating
23rd March 1743 George Frideric Handel's oratorio Messiah premieres in London
23rd March 1729 Celebrated satirical painter William Hogarth married Jane Thornhill, daughter of artist Sir James Thornhill.
Last Suicide Crossroads Burial
The last suicide burial at a crossroads in England.
Location: Grosvenor Place
Description: In the distant past until the Victorian era suicides were commonly buried at crossroads, as it was seen as the same as murder (criminals were also buried at crossroads).
Crossroad burial was officially abolished by Act of Parliament in 1823 after opposition to the practice was encouraged when George IV's carriage was held up by a crowd of spectators here on this spot.
They were watching the burial at this crossroads with Lower Grosvenor Place and Grosvenor Place of a suicide called Abel Griffiths. It's now the entrance to the bus station at Victoria Station.
Suicide was becoming regarded with much greater sympathy at this point, while population growth and the development of transport meant that rural crossroads no longer seemed so remote. For a period following abolition, however, suicides could only be buried in graveyards between 9pm and midnight, and no ceremonies were allowed.
This is known as the last crossroads suicide burial in Britain, although it's probably merely the last high profile burial.
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