Stella Dorothea Gibbons Plaque

Haringey Erected 2019

Inscription

Stella Dorothea Gibbons 1902-1989 English journalist, poet and author of Cold Comfort Farm. Highgate was the setting for one of her best-known novels, Westwood (Southwood House). She is buried in Highgate Cemetery.

About This Blue Plaque

Stella Gibbons was a renowned English author, journalist and poet, best known for her satirical novel Cold Comfort Farm. Born in London in 1902, Gibbons grew up in a literary family and developed a love for writing at an early age. She attended the North London Collegiate School and later studied journalism at University College, London.

Gibbons began her career as a journalist, working for various publications including The Lady and The Evening Standard. However, it was her novel Cold Comfort Farm, published in 1932, that catapulted her to fame. The book, a parody of rural life and the romanticized notion of the English countryside, was an instant success and has since become a classic of English literature.

In addition to Cold Comfort Farm, Gibbons wrote over 20 novels, short story collections, and poetry throughout her career. Her novel Westwood, published in 1946, was set in Highgate, the area where she lived for many years. Gibbons had a deep connection to Highgate, and the neighborhood served as inspiration for much of her work. She was also an active member of the local community, supporting various charitable causes.

Gibbons received numerous accolades for her contributions to literature, including being named a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature in 1950. She continued writing until her death in 1989 at the age of 87. Today, she is remembered as one of the most important English authors of the 20th century, and her legacy lives on through her beloved works.

This blue plaque, erected in 2019 at 19 Oakeshott Avenue in Highgate, commemorates Stella Gibbons’ life and her connection to the area. Highgate, located in the London Borough of Haringey, has a rich literary history and has been home to many notable writers and artists over the years. Visitors to the area can pay their respects to Gibbons at her final resting place in Highgate Cemetery, a historic and atmospheric site that is well worth a visit for those interested in London’s cultural heritage.