Blue Plaque Hunters!

Documenting my plan to see as many blue plaques in London as possible! This could take a while. (also on Instagram)

[Blue Plaque Hunters! @blueplaquebaby]

So this account has been quiet for some time. Partly covid, well it was tricky to go out wasn't it. Then the little one started nursery and things were tricky.
So I'm continuing but changing 1 of my unofficial rules. I can visit on my own.

[Blue Plaque Hunters! @blueplaquebaby]

2. Becca & I have to visit the plaque together. At the moment in her buggy she's very transportable. Although as you'll understand if she's asleep I am not waking her at each plaque. #neverwakeasleepingbaby

[Blue Plaque Hunters! @blueplaquebaby]

So blue plaque hunting is back on. Up to 71 as of today's walk.

[Blue Plaque Hunters! @blueplaquebaby]

So this account has been quiet for some time. Partly covid, well it was tricky to go out wasn't it. Then the little one started nursery and things were tricky.
So I'm continuing but changing 1 of my unofficial rules. I can visit on my own.

[Blue Plaque Hunters! @blueplaquebaby]

2. Becca & I have to visit the plaque together. At the moment in her buggy she's very transportable. Although as you'll understand if she's asleep I am not waking her at each plaque. #neverwakeasleepingbaby

[Blue Plaque Hunters! @blueplaquebaby]

Part of the reason I started this journey was for my mental health during my maternity leave. If I hadn't started I would not have left my house as much as I did. So this is definitely still a "me" challenge and little one will join when she can / if she wants to.

[Blue Plaque Hunters! @blueplaquebaby]

71. Gertrude Bell, Chelsea
Archeologist & Diplomat.
New plaque erected in 2019.
Remembered for her travel writings for her time in the Middle East.

[Blue Plaque Hunters! @blueplaquebaby]

70. Sir Charles Wentworth Dilke, Chelsea.
Statesman & Author
He was born & died in this house.
A liberal MP for Chelsea, although his second wife sounds a bit more interesting (art historian and trade unionists).

[Blue Plaque Hunters! @blueplaquebaby]

69. Lillie Langtry, Chelsea.
Actress
Initially made her name as a 'professional beauty' & mistress to the future Edward VII before taking up acting in 1881. In 1900 she took over the management of the Imperial Theatre in Westminster.

[Blue Plaque Hunters! @blueplaquebaby]

68. Sir George Alexander, Chelsea.
Actor-manager
In 1890 he signed the lease of the St James's Theatre, Covent Garden. Where for example, The Importance of Being Earnest premiered is 1895.

[Blue Plaque Hunters! @blueplaquebaby]

67. Sir Benjamin Thompson, Count Rumford. Knightsbridge.
Inventor & Adventurer.
(Promise, despite the poor focus)
The small bio I have is fascinating.
Invented the percolating coffee pot & co-founded the Royal Institution, although later fell out with RI colleagues apparently.

[Blue Plaque Hunters! @blueplaquebaby]

66. Elisabeth Welch, Knightsbridge.
Singer.
She came to London in 1933 after her time in Paris. 'Stormy Weather' became her signature tune. She had a career that covered stage musicals, films, TV and her own radio show.

[Blue Plaque Hunters! @blueplaquebaby]

65. E. F. Benson, Kensington
Writer
Son of an Archbishop of Canterbury and from a family of writers. He published many a story but also enjoyed discussing antiques, apparently.

[Blue Plaque Hunters! @blueplaquebaby]

64. Francis Place, Kensington.
Political reformer
He had a hand in the reform of municipal corporations in 1835, legislation that laid the foundations for modern local government.

[Blue Plaque Hunters! @blueplaquebaby]

63. STÉPHANE MALLARMÉ (1842-1898), Kensington.
Poet.
French symbolist poet that stayed here in 1863.

[Blue Plaque Hunters! @blueplaquebaby]

62. Sir Patrick Abercrombie (1879-1957), RBKC.
Town & Country planner.
A newer plaque erected in 2019. He played a central role to the rebuilding of post-war London.

[Blue Plaque Hunters! @blueplaquebaby]

61. Sir Henry Cole, first Director of the V&A.
Started as a clerk and basically spent 20 years working on the development of the museum, in his view a national centre for the arts & science.

[Blue Plaque Hunters! @blueplaquebaby]

Visited the first #blueplaque just over 2 years ago. Was good to see him on a ICE library post today and I recognised the name, so I have clearly learnt something with the random quest.

[ICE Library @ICELibrary]

Sir William Henry Barlow was born #onthisday 1812. Engineer for St Pancras Station, designed Second Tay Bridge and completed Brunel's Clifton suspension bridge with Sir John Hawkshaw

[Blue Plaque Hunters! @blueplaquebaby]

@EnglishHeritage Ada Lovelace I think, we've visited her blue plaque so is that an extra bonus point as well?

[Blue Plaque Hunters! @blueplaquebaby]

Stumbled across this lovely little thing at the Business Design Centre.

[Blue Plaque Hunters! @blueplaquebaby]

@hc_tigger @DesignMuseum Seriously one of @niall_castle favourites

[Blue Plaque Hunters! @blueplaquebaby]

A lovely addition to the new old library building. Tiny human enjoyed our Monday morning outting to the newly opened centre. #library

[Dan Soper @dansoper]

THE FINAL of the World Cup of Cathedral Organ Cases. They’ve only just won their semi-finals, but now it’s time to find out whose case is the best of the best. @durhamcathedral or @RochesterCathed? #WorldCupCathedralOrgans