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 and instrumental in the creation of Vauxhall Park; 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.

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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...

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Octavia Hill - Finchley

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

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Octavia Hill Housing Trust

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

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Octavia Hill - moved

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

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Octavia Hill - NW1

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

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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...

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Other Subjects

Bexley Civic Society

Bexley Civic Society

Environmental group. Founded in the 1970s with the objectives to improve the local environment, protect the green belt, eliminate street clutter and protect wildlife.

Group, Community / Clubs, Gardens / Agriculture, History

6 memorials
PEER

PEER

From their website: "PEER is an independent arts organisation that has evolved from the ground up over the past twenty years, putting down deep roots within the socially,  culturally and economical...

Group, Gardens / Agriculture

1 memorial
William Morris Company

William Morris Company

Originally founded as Morris, Marshall, Faulkner and Co. in 1861 by William Morris and Pre-Raphaelite friends. It produced textiles, wallpapers, stained glass and tapestries, mainly with medieval-i...

Group, Gardens / Agriculture

1 memorial
Henry Joshua (Jos) Brown

Henry Joshua (Jos) Brown

President of the Rotary Club of Enfield and local horticulturist.

Person, Community / Clubs, Gardens / Agriculture

1 memorial

Previously viewed

White Horse Cellars at Hatchett's Hotel

White Horse Cellars at Hatchett's Hotel

This building is still at 66-68 Piccadilly, on the north-east of the junction with Dover Street.  Architect: Weatherley and Jones. From British History (written in 1878, just 10 years before Selby...

Building, Commerce, Food & Drink, Transport

1 memorial
Bryant and May - Fairfield Works

Bryant and May - Fairfield Works

Halfway along Fairfield Road stands the old Bryant and May Factory. A Grade II listed building designed by Holman and Goodrham. The brick entrance includes a depiction of Noah’s Ark and the word "S...

Group, Industry

3 memorials
William George Armstrong

William George Armstrong

Born Newcastle. Armaments manufacturer and industrialist.  Developed the hydraulic accumulator.

Person, Industry

2 memorials
Charles Bell Birch

Charles Bell Birch

Sculptor.  Born Brixton.  Studied in Berlin.  Died at King's College Hospital.  We know of only two works displayed in the open in London: the two memorials listed here: Victoria and the Temple Bar...

Person, Sculpture, Germany

3 memorials
Holland House

Holland House

The house, built in 1605 for Sir Walter Cope, was originally surrounded by a large estate. By the time it was bought by Henry Fox, first Baron Holland, in 1768 it still extended westwards as far as...

Building, Property

2 memorials