on pavement grey

Holloway, Hampstead and Holborn – he has lived in important places

Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

Patrick Kavanagh died 50 years ago today, poet and novelist enjoyed London and lived at 20 Williamson St, Holloway N7, 35 Downshire Hill, Hampstead NW3 and 33 Great James Street, Holborn WC1N where he finished The Green Fool.

His work is rich with references to London; the musician faltered over his fiddle in Bayswater London (Memory of My Father) and he listed the ass’s tack in Ealing Broadway (Kerr’s Ass).

With thanks to Patrick Kavanagh: A Biography by Antoinette Quinn.

Also, while it didn’t turn up the Kavanagh connection, pastlivespresentstreetshampstead.blogspot.com may be of interest to you.

350 years on today and still relevant

Jonathan (Dean) Swift writer of Gulliver’s Travels, among other great works, was born 350 years and a day ago. While he visited London often, he stayed with Alexander Pope at Pope’s Villa 21 Cross Deep, Twickenham TW1 4QG (now Radnor House School).

Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

He inspired a royal pardon and years later, inspired Hollywood

Colonel Thomas Blood, adventurer and inspiration of films was born in Co Clare during 1618. His most impressive escapade was not just his attempt to steal the Crown Jewels from the Tower of London but to be rewarded with a royal pardon, money and land.

He lies by the Church of St Margaret, Westminster SW1P 3JX

PICTURE COURTESY OF WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

Less famous but just as formidable as her sister

Eva Gore-Booth, poet, dramatist suffragist and human rights activist was born in Co Sligo (1870). She rests at St John-at-Hampstead, Church Row, Hampstead NW3 6UU.

(Her sister Constance also features in this blog.)

IMAGE COURTESY OF WIKIPEDIA