Samuel Taylor Coleridge Blue Plaque

About This Blue Plaque

Samuel Taylor Coleridge was an English poet, philosopher, and literary critic who lived from 1772 to 1834. He was a key figure in the Romantic Movement and is best known for his poems “The Rime of the Ancient Mariner” and “Kubla Khan”.

Coleridge was born in Ottery St Mary, Devon, and attended Jesus College, Cambridge. He formed a close friendship with fellow poet William Wordsworth, and together they produced the collection “Lyrical Ballads” in 1798, which marked a shift in English poetry towards more natural and emotional expression.

In addition to his poetry, Coleridge was a prolific writer of prose, including literary criticism, theology, and political commentary. He struggled with drug addiction and financial difficulties throughout his life but remained a highly influential figure in literary circles.

From 1811 to 1814, Coleridge lived at 7 Addison Bridge Place in Hammersmith, then a rural area on the outskirts of London. The house, now marked with a blue plaque, provided a peaceful retreat for Coleridge during a troubled period in his life. Hammersmith has since been absorbed into the sprawling metropolis of London but retains some of its historic charm.

Coleridge’s works continue to be widely read and admired for their imagination, psychological insight, and mastery of language. His influence can be seen in the works of later poets such as John Keats and Percy Bysshe Shelley, and his ideas on literature, politics, and religion remain relevant to this day.