﻿ Pyramid Grave

St John’s Sharow

Historical Notes Stained Glass Churchyard Pyramid Grave The Organ



On the western edge of our churchyard stands an unusual tombstone in the shape of a miniature pyramid, topped with a cross. It commemorates Charles Piazzi Smyth, sometimes known as the pyramid man, and his wife Jessie Piazzi Smyth who accompanied him on many of his expeditions. He has been described as, "Brilliant and Eccentric" but this use of the word 'Eccentric' has been challenged on the basis that is detracts from his remarkable discoveries and inventions. It has been suggested that 'Innovative' would be more accurate and kinder. I am happy to include this as accuracy is essential to the integrity of a document like this.




The records of this outstanding scientist seem to be somewhat muddied by the prejudice, even bigotry, of others of his times. But there is no doubt he was a man of great achievement. It is with the Great Pyramid of Gizeh that his name will always be remembered. He was a pioneer of indoor photography and the photographs he took inside the Great Pyramid are some of the earliest known. Amongst his various publications were, 'Our Inheritance in the Great Pyramid' (1864) and 'Life and Work at the Great Pyramid' (1867). He resigned his Fellowship of the Royal Society when they refused to publish his papers on pyramid research; but there are still hundreds of entries under his name in the Royal Society’s Catalogue of Scientific Papers.



The following is extracted from an email received in November 2009:

"I was directed to your WebSite ... which shows the Monument to my g.g.g.uncle Charles Piazzi Smyth and his wife Jessica. He was the brother of my ancestor, Henrietta Grace Smyth. The name of their mother (my mother's father's mother's mother) was Anna Eliza nee Warington, but she was called Annarella, because they were born in Naples, and that name is there still today a usual diminutive of Anna......

You may care to provide a "link" to http://www.1oclockgun.com which has a photograph of him, one of her, and one of their home in Edinburgh.

Regards Robin Clay"

PS - Here's another link....   http://www.pinetreeweb.com/bp-piazzi-smyth.htm


In memory of


Daughter of Thomas Duncan, the dear wife of Charles

Piazzi Smyth L.L.D. Ed. Late Astronomer Royal for Scotland

Who was his faithful and sympathetic friend and companion


Until she fell asleep in the LORD JESUS CHRIST
