London's Blue Plaques
A great idea
The blue plaques scheme has been around for 140 years. The idea of erecting 'memorial tablets' was first proposed by William Ewart MP in the House of Commons in 1863. It had an immediate impact on the public imagination, and in 1866 the (Royal) Society of Arts founded an official plaques scheme. The Society erected its first plaque – to poet, Lord Byron – in 1867. The blue plaques scheme was subsequently administered by the London County Council (1901-65) and by the Greater London Council (1965-86)
Commemorative Plaques in England
There are many plaques schemes which operate alongside – and are complementary to – English Heritage’s own, both in London and across the country. Some of these plaques are blue, though most are of a different form to English Heritage plaques. In addition, the schemes generally operate to different criteria from those of English Heritage – allowing the commemoration of ‘sites’ of buildings. Between 1999 and 2005, English Heritage piloted a national scheme, erecting a total of 34 plaques in Liverpool & Merseyside, Birmingham, Portsmouth and Southampton. Since 2007, it has turned to the active provision of guidance and advice to many existing plaques schemes across England.
Lived in London – Blue Plaques and the Stories Behind Them