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

William Hazlitt

William Hazlitt

Essayist. Initially wanted to be a philosopher, then tried painting and then journalism, where he was a success: as a drama reviewer, art critic, political commentator and creating sports writing ...

Person, Literature

3 memorials
Walter Scott

Walter Scott

Writer. Born Edinburgh. Extremely popular in his lifetime, worldwide. Novels include: Waverley and Ivanhoe. Poems: Lady of the Lake. Died Abbotsford, south of Edinburgh, his home since 1812. ...

Person, Literature, Poetry, Scotland

3 memorials
Dr Samuel Johnson

Dr Samuel Johnson

Essayist, biographer, lexicographer and speaker of quotes. Born Lichfield, Staffordshire. Left home and travelled to London with David Garrick. "When a man is tired of London he is tired of life; f...

Person, Literature, Seriously Famous

15 memorials
James Hadley Chase

James Hadley Chase

Thriller writer. Born at the site of the plaque as René Lodge Brabazon Raymond. Under various pseudonyms, he wrote ninety novels, fifty of which were made into films. Died in Corseaux-sur-Vevey, Sw...

Person, Literature, Switzerland

1 memorial

Previously viewed

Royal Hospital Chelsea - frieze

Royal Hospital Chelsea - frieze

SW3, Royal Hospital Road, Royal Hospital Chelsea, Middle Court

In our photo you can see the Latin text on the frieze to the arcade. The statue faces the building and backs the Thames, and the camera. ...

5 subjects commemorated