Gravely Speaking

GILBERT HOVEY

GROSVENOR, LL.D.

OCTOBER 28, 1875 FEBRUARY 4, 1966

PRESIDENT

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC SOCIETY 1920 – 1954

EDITOR

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC MAGAZINE 1899 – 1954

ELSIE MAY BELL

GROSVENOR, LL. D.

MAY 8, 1878 DECEMBER 26, 1964

BELOVED WIFE AND MOTHER

HUMANITARIAN, AUTHOR

Gilbert Hovey Grosvenor was the long-time editor of the National Geographic Magazine and is considered to be the “father of photojournalism.”  His wife of 64 years, Elsie May Bell Grosvenor, daughter of Alexander Graham Bell, is buried next to him, along with 14 other family members.

The memorial that marks the graves of the Hubbard, Bell, Grossman, and Pillot family members in St. Paul’s Rock Creek Cemetery in Washington, D.C., is a traditional gravestone style known as a stele.  The stele, a stone or wooden slab that is generally taller than it is wide and designed as a funeral commemorative, dates back many centuries and is one of the oldest forms of gravestone.

This stele has two rosettes on the shaft and is topped with an acroterion motif. The acroterion motif is a stylized palm leaf, which can be found on classical Roman and Greek architecture.  The word acroterion comes from the Greek meaning summit.  This motif has its origins in Egyptian art and architecture.

In the top of the stele, just under the cornice, is a bas-relief carving showing a classical nude male seated with his body turned to the right showing his profile. In his left hand he holds a torch and his right arm rests on an urn.

The urn was an almost ubiquitous 19th Century symbol found in nearly every American cemetery.  The urn symbolically represents the mortal body.

The torch upright with the flame atop represents life.  The torch is also seen as an instrument that illuminates the darkness representing enlightenment.  It can symbolize zeal, liberty, and immortality.

The stele was designed and carved by Yale-trained sculptor Lee Oscar Lawrie (October 16, 1877 – January 23, 1963).  Lawrie was a leading architectural sculptor who worked on commissions that included the Nebraska State Capitol, the Los Angeles Public Library, and the monumental bronze statue of Atlas installed at Rockefeller Center in New York City.  The stele and the sculpture of Atlas demonstrate Lawrie’s Moderne or Art Deco style. Both are characterized by strong simple lines, unadorned design, and powerful dynamic imagery.

This funerary sculpture of the Virgin Mary can be found in the Mount Carmel Cemetery in Hillside, Illinois.  In addition to the symbolism of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, which the Virgin Mary points to, is also the image and symbolism of Mary standing on a snake. Look to the bottom of the statue.

In Genesis 3:15 God speaks to the serpent after the fall of Adam and Eve into sin, “I will put enmity between you and the woman, between your seed and her seed; He shall crush your head and you shall lie in wait for his heel.” In the Latin translation the passage read “she shall crush your head.”

The passage comes to be seen as a prophecy of the coming of the Messiah, Jesus Christ. Christ is the “seed of the woman.” Mother Mary is free from sin, both original and actual, and as such is viewed as the new Eve, the only woman who has a perfect enmity with the devil. It is the ultimate symbol of Mary’s victory over Satan.

In a larger sense it is viewed as the triumph of good over evil.

Akron Rural Cemetery, Glendale, Ohio

On the massive bronze doors of the Bertram Work Neo-Classical Mausoleum in the Akron Rural Cemetery, in Glendale, Ohio, are several repeating images, one of which is the Ouroboros. This image is also found on the imposing Egyptian Revival mausoleum built for the Caleb Smith family constructed in the Crown Hill Cemetery in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Crown Hill Cemetery, Indianapolis, Indiana

The Ouroboros is an ancient symbol depicting a snake eating its tail. The word, Ouroboros, is Greek—oura meaning tail; vora meaning eating, and ophis meaning serpent or snake. In ancient Egypt, the Ouroboros represented the daily passage of the sun.  However, the symbol was adopted by Western culture and came to represent the cycle of endless creation and destruction; for living creatures, the cycle of life and death.  The snake eating its tail in cemetery symbolism represents the cycle of life—birth and death—and eternity.

Crown Hill Cemetery, Indianapolis, Indiana

Bohemian National Cemetery, Chicago, Illinois

The caduceus is a symbol comprised of two snakes twining around a rod surmounted with wings.  Its history can be traced back to ancient Greece.  The Greeks recognized the caduceus as the symbol of Hermes (in Roman mythology it was the god Mercury).  The caduceus became recognized in modern times as a symbol of commerce.

However, in the United States, the caduceus has often become confused with the Rod of Asclepius to represent medical organizations.  Some historians trace the confusion back to the United States Medical Corps, which adopted the caduceus as its insignia in 1902.  The Rod of Asclepius is used as a medical insignia in most medical organizations worldwide.  But in the United States, according to one study, as many as 76% of the commercial healthcare associations use the caduceus, while 62% of professional healthcare associations use the Rod of Asclepius.

Evergreen Cemetery, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania

Akron Rural Cemetery, Glendale, Ohio

Not all snakes found on gravestones in cemeteries are bad or represent Satan and sin.  In Greek mythology, for instance, Asclepius was the god associated with healing.  The symbol of the god was a snake coiled around a staff.

The symbolism of the snake and staff has been interpreted many ways.  Some see the snake as having powers to rejuvenate itself—it sloughs off its skin and becomes young again in an act of renewal.  Others see it as a metaphor for medicine.  In ancient times venom was often prescribed as a medicine and in that way could help a patient.  On the other hand, if the snake bites you, the snake can hurt or even cause death.  Just as with the snake, the physician has life and death in his hands.

Thus, the Rod of Asclepius became the symbol for medical professionals around the world, including the United Nation’s World Heath Organization.  In the United States most professional health organizations use the Rod of Asclepius as their symbol.

Akron Rural Cemetery, Glendale, Ohio

Spring Grove Cemetery, Cincinnati, Ohio

In one of the most told and retold stories from the Bible, the snake became associated with the fall of man when he whispered in Eve’s ear and encouraged her to eat from the Tree of Life while Adam and Eve were still living in the Garden of Eden.

The Bible:

Genesis 3, Verse  1: NOW the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made.   And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye said not eat of every tree of the garden.

2: And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden.

3: But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden.  God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die.

4: And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die:

5: for God doth know that in the say ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be opened, and ys shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.

6: And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.

7: And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons.

8: And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God amongst the trees of the garden.

9: And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou?

10: And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself.

11: And he said, Who told thee that thou wast naked? Hast thou eaten of the tree, whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldnest not eat?

12: And the man said, The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat.

13: And the LORD God said unto the serpent, Because thou hast done this, thou art cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shall thou eat all the days of thy life.

14: And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise her heel.

In most cases, snakes represent sin or Satan in funerary art.  There are exceptions, though, as in the case of the Ouroboros, the Rod of Asclepius, and the Caduceus.

Spring Grove Cemetery, Cincinnati, Ohio

CHARLES F. TAGGART

MAJOR 2^ND PENN. CAVALRY

DIED OCT. 24, 1863

FROM WOUNDS RECEIVED

AT BEALETON STATION, VA.

The segmented-top white marble gravestone that marks Major Charles Taggart’s grave is imbued with symbolism.  Draped over the top of the gravestone is a cloth.  In this case, it likely symbolizes that Taggard’s Earthly garments have been cast aside as his soul makes the transition to the Heavenly plane.

Also carved on the stone is a soldier’s sword in its sheath.  Typically the sheathed sword would represent temperance and restraint.  It is obviously also a nod to honor Major Taggard’s service in the Civil War.  Charles Taggard served in two units—first in 1^st Philadelphia City Troop from November 10, 1857 until August 17, 1861 when he mustered out.  The 2^nd Pennsylvania Volunteer Calvary formed on November 18, 1861 with Taggard rising to the rank of Major.  Nearly from the very beginning when the new unit was formed they saw action when they joined the Army of the Potomac in the Battles of Battles of the 2^nd Bull Run and Chantilly.  Later the unit chased the famous Colonel Mosby, then later saw action in the Battle of Gettysburg in those three fateful days of July in 1863.  But Major Taggard’s last battle was a skirmish at Bealeton Station, Virginia.  Taggard was shot in the knee while leading a charge against Confederate cavalry and infantry units.  Taggart’s leg was amputated but died two days later.  His body was returned to Philadelphia and on October 29^th, 1863 his funeral was held.  Taggard’s body was laid to rest in the Laurel Hill Cemetery by six pallbearers who had served with him in the City Troop.

Owen F. Solomon

1829 – September 27, 1859

Carved atop a shaft of white marble rests a pillow with the hat of a soldier.  There are four symbols on this monument: the soldier’s hat, a sword, the laurel wreath, and the Masonic symbol.  With the exception of the later, the others refer to Solomon’s service in the Army.

The obelisk prominently features an inverted sword referring to Solomon’s military service.  When the sword points downward, tip toward the ground, it symbolizes the handing over of power and victory.

The entry (#1596) in Bvt. Major-General George Washington Cullum’s (Colonel, Corps of Engineers, U.S. Army) Biographical Register of the Officers and Graduates of the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York, from Its Establishment March 16, 1802 to the Army Reorganization of 1866-67, Second Edition, Volume 2 (published by D. Van Nostrand, 192 Broadway, New York, 1891) details his military career:

Military History:

Cadet at the Military Academy, July 1, 1849, to July 1, 1853, when he was graduated and promoted in the Army to

Bvt. Second Lieut. of Artillery, July 1, 1853.

Served: in garrison at Ft. Moultrie, South Carolina, 1853, — and Ft. Myers,

(Second Lieut., 4th Artillery, Nov. 25, 1853)

Fla., 1853‑54; on frontier duty at Ft. Brady, Michigan, 1854‑55, — and Ft. Brown, Texas, 1856; in garrison at Jefferson Barracks, Missouri, 1856‑57; (First Lieut., 4th Artillery, Oct. 31, 1856)

Florida Hostilities against the Seminole Indians, 1857‑58; and on frontier duty at Ft. Leavenworth, as Acting Asst. Adjutant-General, Feb. 6 to May 18, 1858, in quelling Kansas Disturbances, — and Ft. Laramie, Dakota Territory, 1858‑59.

Solomon died, Sep. 27, 1859, at Ft. Laramie, Dakota Territory.

Owen F. Solomon was 30 years old.  Some sources say his body was brought to Atlanta, Georgia, and he was buried in the Oakland Cemetery, while others indicate that he is buried at the Camp Floyd Cemetery in Utah.

MAURICE E. FAGAN

LIEUT. COLONEL

19^TH PENNSYLVANIA CAVALRY

FEBRUARY 4, 1863

IN LOVING REMBRANCE OF

MY BROTHER

Lieutenant Colonel Maurice E. Fagan’s segmented-top white marble gravestone features a banner hanging from a rifle.  In the center the banner, two swords are crossed, honoring Fagan’s service in the Pennsylvania Volunteer Cavalry. Crossed swords on a gravestone nearly always marks the burial spot of a highly ranked military officer, as in this instance.

Laurel Hill Cemetery, Philadelphia