The Tradescants Tomb

John Tradescant the elder (c. 1570 - 1638) and his son John Tradescant the younger (1608 - 1662) were plant hunters, gardeners and collectors of curiosities. Both Tradescants were buried in the church yard of St Marys at Lambeth. John Tradescant the Younger's widow Hester commissioned a magnificent tomb for the site as a family monument. In 1773 the tomb, being in a state of decay, was repaired by public subscription; a new top slab of blue granite was substituted for the original black marble one, and in 1853, having fallen into a state of decay, it was entirely restored according to its original form which depicts scenes of their life and work. In 1977 the church was closed and Rosemary and John Nicholson started the Garden Museum on the site, saving the historic building from demolition and persevering the tomb.