History

The Revd.Richard Gouland, Keeper of the Library at Westminster Abbey, is buried in the north cloister. His black and white marble monument includes a skull and drapery. The inscription is now partly illegible but reads:

"In eternal memory. Underneath lieth buried the body of Mr Richard Gouland, M[aster] of Arts and the first keeper of the Library of this Col[lege] to which he hath given a large legacie to be bestowed on some choice bookes. A man truly orthodox, of an undissembled pietie and uprightnesse of a singular candour and fidelitie to his frindes, well skild in the languages, and otherwise very well furnished with the best and choisest learninge, who after a painfull and wearisome pilgrimage in a weake and sickly bodie departed this life to that seate of the blessed the 10th of November 1659". 

He was born in Lincoln where he was installed a prebendary in the cathedral in 1632. He was appointed Keeper of the Abbey Library in 1626 at a salary of 20 pounds per annum. He died unmarried. His sister Alice married Revd.Henry Page, vicar of Ledbury.

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