George Borrow Blue Plaque

About This Blue Plaque

George Borrow (1803-1881) was a prolific English author, known for his travel writings and novels. He lived at 22 Hereford Square in London’s fashionable Kensington and Chelsea borough in the latter part of his life. This blue plaque, erected in 1911, commemorates Borrow’s residence here.

Borrow was a unique figure in 19th-century literature. He had a gift for languages and a passion for traveling, particularly in Spain and Eastern Europe. His best-known works include “The Bible in Spain” (1843), which chronicled his adventures distributing Bibles across the Iberian Peninsula, and the novels “Lavengro” (1851) and “The Romany Rye” (1857), which drew upon his experiences with Romani people.

Hereford Square, where Borrow lived, is located in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. This area has long been associated with London’s literary and artistic scene. The borough is home to numerous museums, galleries, and cultural attractions, including the famous Kensington Palace, the Victoria and Albert Museum, and the Natural History Museum. Borrow would have undoubtedly appreciated the vibrant and cultured atmosphere of this part of London.

Borrow’s travels and linguistic skills (he claimed to know over 100 languages) made him stand out among his literary peers. His works offered a window into different cultures and lifestyles, appealing to the Victorian fascination with the exotic and unfamiliar. Today, he is remembered as an important figure in the development of travel writing and as a keen observer of the diverse peoples and places he encountered in his adventurous life.