Place    From 1559 

Poets' Corner

Categories: Literature

The popular name for the south transept of Westminster Abbey. Geoffrey Chaucer was the first person to be interred here, although it was for his position as Clerk of Works to the Palace of Westminster, rather than for literary merit. It wasn't until the burial of Edmund Spenser that the tradition began. The name was supposed to have been coined by Oliver Goldsmith. Nowadays occupants are commemorated with a wall or floor tablet rather than actual interment.

Credit for this entry to: Alan Patient of www.plaquesoflondon.co.uk

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This section lists the memorials where the subject on this page is commemorated:
Poets' Corner

Commemorated ati

Robert Browning - W8

Robert Browning lived in this house 1887 - 1889, from here his body was taken...

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Other Subjects

J R Ackerley

J R Ackerley

Writer and literary editor. Born as Joe Randolph Ackerley at 4 Warmington Road, Herne Hill. He was appointed as private secretary to the Maharajah of Chhokrapur which served as a basis for his 'Hin...

Person, Literature, India

1 memorial
Francois Rabelais

Francois Rabelais

Writer and physician. Born France, between 1483 and 1494, but probably November 1494. Became a monk and studied Latin and Greek, then left to study medicine. Died Paris.

Person, Literature, Medicine, Politics & Administration, Religion, France

1 memorial
Richmal Crompton

Richmal Crompton

Writer. Born Richmal Crompton Lamburn in Manchester Road, Bury. She became a teacher, but had to give up when she contracted poliomyelitis, and was left without the use of her right leg. She was th...

Person, Children, Literature

1 memorial
Hayes Literary Society

Hayes Literary Society

We can find little about this group but they were very active in 1992  re. Orwell.

Group, Community / Clubs, Literature

1 memorial
Ben Okri

Ben Okri

Poet and novelist.  Born Nigeria but spent his early childhood in London.  Returned to England to study in the late 1970s.  His 1991 novel 'The Famished Road' won the Booker Prize.

Person, Literature, Poetry, Nigeria

1 memorial