1850

William Wordsworth

Romantic poet. Born Cumberland, with the perfect name for a poet (see Isambard Brunel for more examples of nominative determinism). Died Grasmere, the Lake District. Passing through London in 1802 on his way to visit his ex-mistress and their daughter in France he was impressed with the view from Westminster Bridge and composed surely the best poem ever written about London: "Earth hath not anything to show more fair....".

The poem's full title is 'Composed upon Westminster Bridge, 3 September 1802' which is rather confusing since they crossed the bridge on 31 July 1802. It was first published in 1807.

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This section lists the memorials where the subject on this page is commemorated:
William Wordsworth

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Composed upon Westminster Bridge

W. Somerset Maugham's novel Of Human Bondage (P654-5) contains a lovely descr...

This section lists the memorials created by the subject on this page:
William Wordsworth

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Stockwell WW1 memorial

The design of this Portland stone clock tower was chosen through competition ...

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Edward Lear

Born Bowman's Lodge, (now Bowman's Mews), the penultimate of 21 children. Artist and writer of nonsense works, such as The Owl and the Pussycat, and limericks, e.g. There was an old person of Putn...

Person, Art, Literature, Poetry, Seriously Famous, Italy

3 memorials

Philip Larkin

Born Coventry. Larkin spent 30 years in the northern port city of Hull working as a university librarian. He shunned the limelight, refusing to appear on television and turning down a request to be...

Person, Poetry

2 memorials

Edwin Arnold

Journalist and poet, Born at Gravesend. In 1852 he obtained the Newdigate prize for his first poem, 'The Feast of Belshazzar' ('High on a throne of ivory and gold, From crown to footstool clad in p...

Person, Journalism / Publishing, Poetry, India, USA

1 memorial

Joanna Baillie

Poet and dramatist, born Bothwell, Lanarkshire, Scotland. Moved into Bolton House with her mother and sister in 1791 and lived there until her death. Buried at nearby St John's church, Church Row.

Person, Poetry, Theatre, Scotland

1 memorial

Lady Jane Francesca Wilde

Born Dublin. Mother of Oscar Wilde. Poet under the pseudonym ‘Speranza’. Supporter of the Irish nationalist movement and advocate of women’s rights. Died 146 (now 87) Oakley Street.

Person, Gender Issues, Nationalism, Poetry, Ireland

1 memorial