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Approximately 1.5 miles due south of Stalbridge, you will find the Thornhill Obelisk. This was erected by Sir James Thornhill in 1727 to commemorate the crowning of King George II.
Sir James was born in the 1670's [ dates vary 1675, 1676 ] and lived until 1734, during which time he became a renowned English baroque painter, (See Footnote) and also found time to be a Member of Parliament for 12 years for nearby Weymouth, or 'Budmouth' as Thomas Hardy devotees know it.

St Paul's Cathedral

Among his work remaining today is his decoration of the Whispering Gallery at St Paul's Cathedral in London. This was originally to have been painted to a design by Sir Christopher Wren, but once the building work had been completed Sir Christopher finished with the project.

Sir James Thornhill also had a good understanding of architecture, and it is thought that he designed his own house, the aptly named Thornhill House, in whose grounds the obelisk stands.
By the time George II had come to the throne, Sir James had already had commissions for the Royal Navy Hospital at Greenwich, Blenheim and Hampton Court. So it may have been that he thought he would please the new King by the erection of the obelisk, and thus gain some new royal commissions.
The obelisk itself stood happily looking over the north Dorset countryside until the 1830's when it fell down in a storm, only to be re-erected shortly after.

Footnote:
One of Sir James's pupils went on to have an equally successful artistic career, but became more of a household name - William Hogarth.

Co-Ords: 373815 115470 / ST 738154  

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