Mention

[Xinfu]

Could I use mentioning? (not mention)

- There was no ____ of such a figure in the essay.

I think it's grammatical, but when there's already a noun, the -ing form should not be used.

[wrholt]

To my ear, no. "There (to be) no mention of (something)" is a fixed expression, aside from the fact that (to be) conjugates as necessary.

[Xinfu]

Excellent answer. Thank you.