Person    | Female  Born 3/12/1838  Died 13/8/1912

Octavia Hill

Housing reformer and co-founder of The National Trust. Born at Wisbech, Cambridgeshire, her father's eighth daughter (yes, really). She believed that social housing should be small houses (rather than large blocks of flats) and in towns rather than in the suburbs. Working with John Ruskin she created 15 housing schemes in London to provide accommodation to 3,000 people.

Supporting the idea that Hill should appear on British bank notes, Pam Alexander wrote in a letter to the Guardian, July 2013: "{her} work benefited men, women and children and continues today. Octavia pioneered social housing and encouraged all her tenants to develop their skills in order to live fulfilled lives, however low their income. She cofounded the National Trust and coined the term green belt. Her Kyrle Society, supported by William Morris, was the forerunner of the Civic Trust; her training of housing managers led directly to the Charted Institute of Housing; and she made key contributions to modern social work and occupational therapy. Her focus on " a hand up rather than a handout" was controversial but is still an appropriate debate today."

Caroline's Miscellany has a good post about this "do-gooder". 2012: a memorial stone in Westminster Abbey to be dedicated on 22 October.

This section lists the memorials where the subject on this page is commemorated:
Octavia Hill

Commemorated ati

Morley mosaics - KEW - Octavia Hill

Octavia Hill, born 1838. The founder of modern social work through her tirele...

Read More

Octavia Hill - Finchley

Hill's family were living in Brownswell Cottages in 1851. These were on Finc...

Read More

Octavia Hill Housing Trust

It would be nice to know who did the giving but we can't find out.

Read More

Octavia Hill - moved

The plaque is located on the first floor of the building and is not on view t...

Read More

Octavia Hill - NW1

Octavia Hill, a pioneer in housing reform built these cottages "for the peopl...

Read More

Show all 8

This section lists the memorials created by the subject on this page:
Octavia Hill

Creations i

Red Cross Garden 2

The roundel was created by a glass-making firm, James Powell and Son, after a...

Read More

Other Subjects

Southwark Park

Southwark Park

The Park was created mainly from market gardens. More information at  Historic England. The opening day is variously given as 19 or 9. An information board at each of the main entrances to the par...

Place, Gardens / Agriculture

2 memorials
Stenton Covington

Stenton Covington

A prominent local resident living in Gibson's Hill, he donated £3,000 towards the establishment of the Rookery in Streatham. He was also involved in saving Norwood Grove for the public. Stenton Th...

Person, Benefactor, Commerce, Gardens / Agriculture, Liveries & Guilds

2 memorials
Alexandra Palace

Alexandra Palace

The materials used in the construction of the 1861 International Exhibition were sold and re-used in this building. Named after Princess Alexandra, newly married to the Prince of Wales, opened as "...

Place, Community / Clubs, Gardens / Agriculture

2 memorials
William Curtis Ecological Park

William Curtis Ecological Park

The William Curtis Ecological Park was the United Kingdom's first urban ecology park. Max Nicholson and the Trust for Urban Ecology (created at the same time, by Nicholson) created it on a derelict...

Place, Community / Clubs, Gardens / Agriculture

1 memorial