Abstract
WITHIN the ancient walls of Westminster Abbey and in the presence of a large gathering of men eminent in many walks of life, at noon on Monday, October 25, a typical English autumn day, the last remains of Lord Rutherford were laid to rest in the Nave near the graves of Newton, Kelvin, Darwin and Sir John Herschel. Thus another link was forged binding the Empire together, for Rutherford was the first man of science born in the overseas dominions to be buried in the Abbey. The honour thus accorded him is fitting recognition of the place he held among his fellows, and the memorable service at his burial, in its simplicity, beauty and dignity, was in keeping with the passing of a man of singleness of purpose whose whole life had been devoted to unravelling the secrets of Nature. There was no pomp or pageantry such as is seen at the burial of our great naval and military leaders, no word was said of his life or achievements, but a quiet air of sincerity pervaded the whole scene and left an indelible impression that it was all as he would have wished.
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The Funeral of Lord Rutherford. Nature 140, 754–755 (1937). https://doi.org/10.1038/140754b0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/140754b0