William Hogarth Tomb 

St Nicholas Church, Chiswick.

 Grade II  

HOLT gave a grant of £2,500 in 1991 for historic monuments in the churchyard at St Nicholas Chiswick, and £2,500 in 2001 for the Challoner monument in the church. Hogarth's tomb is in the churchyard near the south porch - he and his wife lived in Chiswick from 1749 until his death in 1764. The Portland stone monument, with inset marble inscribed panels and urn, was set up in 1771.  His wife, Jane, was also interred here in 1789.  The inscriptions are of historic interest, especially the epitaph, which was composed by Hogarth's good friend, the actor David Garrick. The monument has not been cleaned or repaired since the 1950s.  The plinth is damaged, perhaps by tree-root growth, and needs to be stabilised.  There are also cracks on the urn's base and rust on the railings.  Holden Conservation will undertake the repairs. The work is expected to cost £11,385.  The Old Chiswick Protection Society has offered £2,000 and the Friends of St Nicholas Church £5,000. The Trust has offered £2,000 towards this project.

Work was completed in 2010 and HOLT President, Hon Nick Assheton (picture below left) was on hand for the unveiling to hand over our grant cheque to the restoration committee.