History

In the chapel of St Michael in Westminster Abbey is a large marble monument to Algernon Coote, Earl of Mountrath and his wife Diana. He died on 27 August 1744 and was first buried in a vault in Henry VII's chapel. His widow died on 14 July 1766 and was buried in a newly made vault in St Michael's chapel and the body of her husband was moved to the new vault. The monument was designed by Sir William Chambers and made by Joseph Wilton. A life size figure of the Countess rises from her tomb, supported on the left by a descending angel among clouds, who points upwards. Formerly at the top of the monument was the figure of the Earl "seated in glory", with a vacant chair beside him awaiting his wife. In 1876 the monument was reduced in size and the Earl's figure taken away. The Latin inscription can be translated:

"Sacred to the memory of Algernon, Earl of Mountrath, and the Countess Diana: she, surviving him, saw to the erection of this monument in 1771. As love united them happily in life, so love unites them, even after death, in the tomb".

He was the younger son of Charles, 3rd Earl of Mountrath and Lady Isabella Dormer. He was baptised at St James, Westminster on 8 June 1689 and succeeded his brother Henry as 6th Earl in 1720. On 28 November 1721 he married Diana, youngest daughter of Richard, 2nd Earl of Bradford. Member of Parliament and Governor of Queen County in co.Roscommon in Ireland. Their son Charles succeeded him.

A photo of the monument can be purchased from Westminster Abbey Library.

The contract for the monument is at the Royal Academy.