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Statesmen’s Aisle

The north transept (the area by the visitor entrance) of the Abbey is known as Statesmen's Aisle due to the many memorials to politicians there.

Origins 

From the 18th century onwards the north transept began to fill with monuments to Prime Ministers, statesmen and politicians. The large monument to William Pitt, Earl of Chatham, who died in 1778, was the first to be erected near his grave. His son William, Britain's youngest Prime Minister, was buried with him but his large monument was erected over the west door of the nave.

There is a series of 19th century statues on one side, including those to William Gladstone, Benjamin Disraeli and Robert Peel. Three statues commemorate members of the Canning family. Lord Palmerston, twice Prime Minister, and Viscount Castlereagh also have statues opposite. Gladstone's statue was the last to be erected here, as space was by then limited. But wall memorials followed, such as that to Herbert Asquith.

Statesmen's Aisle

Charles James Fox, Prime Minister and slave abolitionist, is buried in this transept but his monument was moved to the west end of the nave, where more modern politicians are now buried or commemorated. The statue to William Wilberforce is in the north choir aisle rather than near his grave in the transept.

Other memorials in the transept

There are memorials and graves to others in this transept and these include clerics, seamen, soldiers and lawyers. The very large monument to Lord Chief Justice William, Earl of Mansfield dominates the western aisle. Near this is a memorial to Jonas Hanway, said to have been the first person in England to carry an umbrella. 

Admirals Wager and Vernon have monuments near the entrance. A monument, by Grinling Gibbons, between the politician statues on the east side, is to William Cavendish, Duke of Newcastle and his wife Margaret, both writers. Another Duke of Newcastle, John Holles, has a tall monument nearby. Three Captains who were killed in a battle in the Caribbean in 1782 have a large monument, with a figure of Neptune riding a seahorse. The grave of physician Thomas Willis, who studied the brain and diabetes, is also here.

Stained glass

The stained glass in the north rose window was designed by Sir James Thornhill and installed in 1722. But when the stonework of the window was altered in the late 19th century the feet of the large figures of Christ, the Apostles and Evangelists were cut off.

The six lancet windows below were designed by Brian Thomas in 1958, replacing 19th century glass damaged by blast in the Second World War. These depict the six acts of Mercy from St Matthew's gospel. There is a memorial window for John Bunyan in the west aisle, and one by David Hockney commemorating Queen Elizabeth II. The loss of the ship and crew of HMS Captain in 1870 is also commemorated in stained glass.