Great cemeteries of the world. Pt. 24, London - Kensal Green.

Documentary about London's first private cemetery at Kensal Green. The cemetery opened in 1831 but did not achieve prominence until a member of the Royal Family, the Duke of Sussex, was buried there in 1842. This programme looks at the architecture of the masoleums and chapels as well as some of the stories of people buried here. One of these is Dr. James Barry, a British Army surgeon who was a woman (real name Miranda Stewart) posing as a man. Fascinated by medicine as a young girl she was forced to disguise herself as a man in order to pursue her chosen career. As Barry, she brought in several reforms and is believed to be the first woman to perform a caesarian delivery in the British Empire in 1820. After her death in 1865 her true identity was discovered. Other occupants of Kensal Green Cemetery whose lives are briefly covered here are Isambard Brunel, tightrope walker The Great Blondin, Lady Jane Wilde and William Makepeace Thackeray. The programme ends by giving us directions to the cemetary and details of the opening hours.