Anatomist Henry Gray’s grave is restored

Published: September 15, 2011

THE hidden grave of Henry Gray has been restored to its former glory 150 years after the pioneering human anatomist and surgeon was buried in Highgate Cemetery.

The headstone had become covered by undergrowth and was “sliding down the hill” after being “tip-tilted by trees”, according to the Friends of Highgate Cemetery.

Historian Ruth Richardson said after a “huge amount of lifting and shifting” the grave had been renovated and a celebration was held on Sunday.

“We all paid    tribute to HG at the graveside,” she added.

Stonemason Neil Luxton, Phil Adds and medical student Maya Shahsavari, who are writing a book about Gray to be released later this year, were joined at the event on Sunday by Professor Peter Kopelman, principal of St George’s Hospital, where Gray was a student.

Born in 1827, Gray died on June 13, 1861. Three years before his death he published the first edition of Anatomy containing 363 figures of the human body.