Friday, September 12, 2014

Curious Epitaphs

William Andrews - Curious epitaphs: Collected from the graveyards of Great Britain and Ireland, with biographical, genealogical and historical notes (1883)

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You can find collections of epitaphs even today though most current ones more closely resemble joke books and are of doubtful truthfulness.  This is one of several from the late 19th century and stands out because the author (who collected all sort of historical and local oddities) provides background for many even if at times that's sparse.  It's divided into chapters on servants, musicians, soldiers, parish clerks and "Bacchanalian Epitaphs".