Edwin Arnold Blue Plaque

About This Blue Plaque

Sir Edwin Arnold was a renowned 19th century English poet and journalist who lived from 1832 to 1904. He spent his final years at 31 Bolton Gardens in the fashionable Kensington area of London, where a blue plaque now commemorates his life and work.

Arnold had a distinguished career as a writer. He is best known for his epic poem “The Light of Asia” (1879), which introduced many Western readers to the life and teachings of the Buddha. This work earned Arnold widespread acclaim and respect. He followed it with other notable poetic works like “The Song Celestial” and “With Sa’di in the Garden”.

As a journalist, Arnold held prominent positions including Chief Editor of The Daily Telegraph from 1873 to 1889. His editorials helped shape public opinion on key issues of the day. For his influential body of work, Arnold was honored with the title Knight Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire (KCIE) in 1877.

The leafy, upscale neighborhood of Kensington where Arnold resided was a popular home for eminent Victorians. Many leading writers, artists, and intellectuals were drawn to the area’s grand townhouses and cultural institutions. Arnold’s choice to live out his days in Kensington reflects his stature as one of the luminaries of his era. The blue plaque at his former home ensures that his legacy as a poet and man of letters endures.