Headstone Ideas for a Historian

Historians spend their lives making sure the past is remembered. It's fitting that their own memorial should be thoughtful, well-crafted and built to last for centuries.

Symbol and etching ideas

• An open book — see open book meaning.
• A scroll with a quill.
• An hourglass — see hourglass meaning.
• A building or monument from their favourite era.
• A laurel wreath for scholarship.

Personal touches

• Their field or era — Canadian history, the ancient world, local history.
• Books they wrote.
• Museums, archives or societies.
• Students they taught.

Epitaph ideas

• Now part of history.
• He kept the past alive.
• Remembered, as she remembered others.
• Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it. (George Santayana, 1905)
• Their name liveth for evermore. (Ecclesiasticus 44:14)

A classical inscription style

Historians often appreciate traditional lettering — Roman capitals, a carefully centred layout and a Latin motto. Roman caps and a simple serpentine or tablet shape look timeless. See headstone fonts and lettering styles.

For local historians

Local historians often helped families trace graves and stories in their own community. A line such as "Keeper of our town's memory" honours that work — and their own stone will be part of the record they cared for.

Design tips

• Roman capitals suit a classical look.
• Check Latin wording with a scholar.
• Granite will outlast the marble of older eras.
• See ideas for a professor and a librarian.

Key Takeaways

• Books, scrolls and hourglasses suit a historian.
• Classical lettering suits the theme.
• "Their name liveth for evermore" is traditional.
• Honour local historians' work.

Next Step

See occupation and hobby symbols and custom etched scenes, or try it in the Design Studio.