My Gran was one of 13 children. All of them had at least 2 first names and none were repeated. I wonder if James Haliburton and his wife Elizabeth (née Westley) were running out of ideas when their 10th child was born as they named him Decimus. Their first 4 children had the surname of Haliburton but by number 5 they had shortened it just to Burton and so Decimus Burton was born today, 30th September back in 1800.
Decimus was an architect. Not just any architect, but one who was partly responsible for planning the layout of Hyde Park, London in 1825. He also designed a gateway into Green Park as well as an entrance through to Hyde Park. However, a Government Committee decided that the “Green Park Arch” would form an outer entrance to Buckingham palace and should therefore be far more elaborate and fitting for the monarch. A new design was created and in 1826 approval was given for this arch, which would have a gilded chariot and 4 horses on the top.
By 1828, the Arch was nearing completion but the cost had well overrun the estimate and the Treasury refused to pay. This was probably because it was running out of money, having overspent on the building of Buckingham Palace! Therefore, the Arch was left structurally complete but without any of the decoration.
Burton died in 1881 but in 1885, the Arch was moved to Hyde Park Corner and finally, in 1912, the chariot and horses were made in bronze and placed at the top and is now the Wellington Arch.
Running out of names?
Blog entry posted in 'Running out of names?', Sep 30, 2019.
Ma-dotcom, Findem, Elsiesgirl and 13 others like this.
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Sandiep and Daft Bat like this.AnnB, Sep 30, 2019
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Daft Bat likes this.AnnB, Sep 30, 2019
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Daft Bat, Sep 30, 2019