Writers' Homes in Britain
Edward Lear, George Eliot, Charles Dickens and their London Homes.
A brief look at the homes of famous writers who lived in London, England.
Edward Lear (1812-1888), was a sickly and rather unattractive man, who suffered from the pulmonary diseases asthma and bronchitis and the neorological condition epilepsy. He was also beset with anxiety and seemed to be a man full of sorrow. It is surprising, therefore, to realize that this man was the author of such silliness as "The Owl and the Pussycat" and other beloved verses of our childhood. Lear was also a self-deprecating man who ridiculed himself at every opportunity. One such verse is:"How pleasant to know Mr.Lear! Some think him ill-tempered and queer...his nose is remarkably big, his beard resembles a wig..."
Book of Nonsense
Lear began as a landscape painterUpper Seymour Street, and at one time instructed Queen Victoria in the art of painting. His "Book of Nonsense" was successful but he sold the rights for one hundred and twenty-five pounds, thus losing out on future royalties. Lear lived at 13 Upper Seymour Street, 13 Upper Seymour Street and Stratford Place, off Oxford Street. 30 Seymour Street (St.Marylebone area), now has an historical plaque remembering this wry little man and his genius for verse.
George Eliot (Mary Ann Evans)
George Eliot (1819-1880), was born Mary Ann Evans and took on a male name so as to be recognized for her work as a writer. She loved solitude and would take daily walks or rides in the surrounding countryside at her home 4 Cheyne Walk, SW 3, Chelsea area. She was famous for her novels, Adam Bede, Mill on the Floss and others. Middlemarch was thought to be one of the masterpieces of the nineteenth century. Eliot lived with Henry Lewes for many years and upon his death married a Mr.J.W.Cross. The house at 4 Cheyne Walk still stands.
Charles Dickens
Charles Dickens(1812-1870), lived at 48 Doughty Street, WC1, from 1837 to 1840. The street was a gated one with a porter in full regalia overseeing the closing of the gates at night. In this house he wrote Oliver Twist, finished Pickwick Papers and began Barnaby Rudge. He was in love with his wife's sister, Mary Hogarth, and grieved excessively at the time her death and for many years after. She died when she was seventeen in the little room on the second floor of No.48, where she had lived with Charles and his wife. The house at 48 Doughty Street still stands, and is marked with a plaque.
For further reading about historic homes in London:
Source
Where They Lived in London, by Maurice Rickards, Taplinger Publishing Company, New York, 1972.
