Richard Jefferies Blue Plaque

About This Blue Plaque

Richard Jefferies was a renowned English nature writer and novelist who lived from 1848 to 1887. He is best known for his unique and evocative portrayals of rural life and the natural world. Jefferies spent much of his life observing and writing about the countryside, particularly in his native Wiltshire.

Born in Coate, Wiltshire, Jefferies developed a deep appreciation for nature from a young age. He began his writing career as a journalist, contributing articles to various local newspapers. However, it was his later works, such as “The Gamekeeper at Home” (1878) and “Wild Life in a Southern County” (1879), that established him as a leading figure in nature writing.

Jefferies’ descriptive prose and keen observations of the natural world set him apart from his contemporaries. His works often celebrated the simple beauty of rural life and the intricate relationships between humans and their environment. Some of his most famous books include “Wood Magic” (1881), “Bevis” (1882), and “The Story of My Heart” (1883).

While the exact details of Jefferies’ residence at 59 Footscray Road in Greenwich are unclear, it is evident that he spent time living in London during his life. Greenwich, located in southeast London, has a rich history and is known for its maritime heritage, royal connections, and the Prime Meridian at the Royal Observatory.

Sadly, Jefferies’ life was cut short by tuberculosis, and he died at the age of 38 in 1887. Despite his relatively brief career, his legacy as a pioneering nature writer and keen observer of the natural world endures to this day. The blue plaque at 59 Footscray Road, erected in 1986, serves as a tribute to his lasting impact on English literature and his deep connection to the natural world.