An American Unitarian Historical Site in Europe
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THE GRAVE OF
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While on trip to Florence, Italy, in April 1997 I took the opportunity to visit the "English Cemetery" and particularly the grave of Theodore Parker the 19th Century American Unitarian minister, theologian, Transcendentalist, and abolitionist. The "English Cemetery" occupies a roughly half-acre "island" park (Piazzale Donatello) in the middle of one of the busiest streets in Florence. It was founded in 1827 by the Evangelical Reformed Church of Florence on land purchased by Swiss citizens.
Among those buried there are Elizabeth Barret Browning, Walter Savage Landor, and Theodore Parker. The sign in English at the entrance gives "star billing" to four English literary figures and to "the Great American Preacher Theodore Parker." The cemetery is open from 10 A.M. to 1 P.M. on Tuesday through Saturday. The cemetery is badly overgrown with a mixture of wild flowers and nettles scattered on most graves. The main paths are clear. Some of the grave makers are in poor condition having deteriorated from the weather or from falling over and breaking.
Theodore Parker (1810-1860) suffered from tuberculosis and went to to Europe in 1859 to rest and study, particularly in Italy. He did not recover, however, and died in Florence on May 10, 1860.
Parker's gravestone is in good condition. It is solid marble about 4 feet high and topped by an "eternal flame" in a lamp that resembles a modern Unitarian-Universalist chalice. The stone has a side view of Parker's bust surrounded by a laurel wreath (very classical, all that). The inscription reads:
THEODORE PARKER
THE GREAT AMERICAN PREACHER
BORN AT LEXINGTON MASSACHUSETTS
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
AUGUST 24 1810
DIED AT FLORENCE ITALY
MAY 10 1860
HIS NAME IS ENGRAVED IN MARBLE
HIS VIRTUES IN THE HEARTS OF THOSE HE
HELPED TO FREE FROM SLAVERY
AND SUPERSTITION
Although the stone itself is in good condition, it is tilting to the right about 5 degrees and tilting back about 10 degrees. The cemetery is on a hill and the head of Parker's grave is on the downhill end of an artificially levelled are. The stone retaining barrier used to created the level area and to supply a backstop for the headstone has become loose. Although the grave stone is safe now, if no repairs are made, it will likely fall over some day. If that happens, the flame will certainly break off and perhaps the entire stone will shatter.
