Lecture: Devon Dead & Buried by Hugh Meller

This talk is an introduction to the subject of the departed, so often neglected and forgotten, commemorated throughout Devon. The extraordinary variety of the notable and notorious, ranging from saints and royalty to eccentrics and criminals, are recorded in the county’s religious buildings, cemeteries and on war memorials. Some 2,600 are documented in Hugh Meller’s book Devon Dead & Buried.

Meller began his career as a criminal law solicitor in London before gaining an MA degree in architectural history at the Courtauld Institute. He was architectural advisor to the Victorian Society for two years followed by 26 years as curator with the National Trust in Devon. He is the author of the award winning books: London Cemeteries, The Country Houses of Devon, and Devon Dead & Buried.

This event is part of the Devon Rural Archive‘s 2026 lecture series. Please follow the signs to the Cafe and Archive upon arrival.

Image: Memorial to Isaac Singer (1811-75), sewing machine manufacturer, at Torquay Cemetery.