Charles Buller

On the wall of the west aisle of the north transept of Westminster Abbey is a memorial with a life size marble bust to politician Charles Buller. The monument is by sculptor Henry Weekes and the inscription was written by Lord Houghton. This reads:

Amidst the memorials of maturer greatness, this tribute of private affection and public honour records the talents, virtues, and early death of the Right Honourable Charles Buller: who, as an independent member of Parliament, and in the discharge of important offices of State, united the deepest human sympathies with wide and philosophic views of government and mankind, and pursued the noblest political and social objects, above party spirit and without an enemy. His character was distinguished by sincerity and resolution, his mind by vivacity and clearness of comprehension, while the vigour of expression and singular wit, that made him eminent in debate, and delightful to society, were tempered by a most gentle and generous disposition, earnest in friendship and benevolent to all. The British Colonies will not forget the statesman who so well appreciated their desires and their destinies; and his country, recalling what he was, deplores the vanished hope of all he might have become. He was born August [blank on monument] 1806. He died November 29, 1848

He was born in Calcutta on 6th August 1806, a son of Charles Buller, civil servant, and his wife Barbara (Kirkpatrick). Educated in England at Harrow school and Edinburgh and Cambridge universities he replaced his father as Member of Parliament for West Looe in Cornwall. He was a parliamentary reformer and also a journalist and was known for his wit and practical jokes. He undertook a mission to Canada with his brother Sir Arthur William Buller. Later he drafted a constitution for New South Wales (Mt. Buller is named after him) and he also drafted the charter of the New Zealand Company. His illegitimate daughter was Theresa Reviss. He died of typhus and is buried at Kensal Green cemetery in London.

Further reading

Oxford Dictionary of National Biography 2004