Craigentinny Marbles
The Craigentinny Marbles is the name normally applied to the
huge mausoleum structure with ornate marble sculptures depicting
Biblical scenes which stands strangely amidst the suburban houses
of Craigentinny Crescent, just off Portobello Road in Edinburgh.
The name is derived from the two sculptured panels that adorn the
monument. David Rhind designed the monument and the eminent
Victorian sculptor Alfred Gatley carved the bas-relief marbles that
depict 'The Overthrow of Pharoah' and 'The Song of Miriam'. The
panels were described in 1867 when they were fixed to the monument
as: 'the most remarkable pieces of sculpture executed during this
century' and 'attracted artists from all parts to view them'.
The monument may be more accurately called the Miller Mausoleum
as it marks the last resting place of William Henry Miller. Miller
was at one time Member of Parliament for Newcastle-under-Lyne and
was a renowned collector of books. He was known as 'Measure Miller'
from his habit of carrying around a ruler to measure the exact size
of copies of books before deciding if it would enhance his
collection.
Miller died in 1848, at the age of 60, after a short illness at
his estate at Craigentinny. He was not buried until six weeks after
his death and this resulted in speculation about the method of his
internment. Events were reported in the newspapers under the
heading 'Singular Internment'. It was reported that eighty laborers
had been hired to excavate a stone lined pit 40 feet deep as his
grave and that a large stone slab was positioned at the bottom of
the grave to secure the coffin.
Rumours soon developed around the reason for the elaborate
burial arrangements. It was said that Miller was 'notable for his
spare figure, thin treble voice and total absence of beard', and it
was suggested that Miller, who had never married, had been an
adopted female orphan who had masqueraded as a man all his life.
The speculation was no doubt further fuelled by the erection of the
monument eight years after Miller's death.
However, this does seem very unlikely given that Miller, as
evidenced by his long period as a Member of Parliament, had not
generally shied away from public life. A more likely reason for any
elaborate form of internment would be to avoid the body-snatchers
who were prevalent around this time.