Christina Rossetti Plaque

About This Blue Plaque

Christina Georgina Rossetti was a renowned English poet born in London in 1830. As the daughter of Italian scholar Gabriele Pasquale Giuseppe Rossetti and Frances Mary Lavinia Polidori, Christina grew up in a highly creative and intellectual family. Her siblings, Dante Gabriel, William Michael, and Maria, also became notable figures in the arts and literature.

Rossetti is best known for her romantic, devotional, and children’s poems. Her most famous works include “Goblin Market,” a fantastical narrative poem exploring temptation and redemption, and “Remember,” a sonnet reflecting on love and loss. She also penned the lyrics to the beloved Christmas carol “In the Bleak Midwinter,” which has been set to music by various composers.

In addition to her literary pursuits, Rossetti was deeply committed to social causes. For many years, she dedicated her time as a volunteer at a refuge for “fallen women” on North Road in Highgate. This experience likely influenced her poetry, which often touched on themes of faith, morality, and the human condition. Rossetti passed away in 1894 at the age of 64 and was laid to rest in nearby Highgate Cemetery, where her grave can still be visited today.

The London Borough of Haringey, where this blue plaque is located at 2 North Hill, has a rich literary history. Highgate, in particular, has been home to many notable writers, artists, and intellectuals over the centuries. The area’s picturesque village atmosphere and proximity to green spaces like Hampstead Heath have long attracted creative minds seeking inspiration and tranquility away from the bustling city center.