Henry Watson Fowler Blue Plaque

About This Blue Plaque

Henry Watson Fowler was an influential English grammarian and lexicographer best known for his seminal 1926 book “A Dictionary of Modern English Usage”. Born in 1858 in Tonbridge, Kent, Fowler studied at Oxford University before embarking on a career as a schoolmaster.

From 1900 to 1903, Fowler lived at 14 Paultons Square in the London borough of Chelsea. It was during this period that he began collaborating with his brother Francis on what would become “The King’s English”, an authoritative style guide published in 1906. This work established Fowler as a leading authority on English usage.

Fowler’s magnum opus, “A Dictionary of Modern English Usage”, was published in 1926 and became an instant classic. Celebrated for its witty, opinionated and often idiosyncratic entries, the book sought to help readers navigate the complexities of the English language. It remained the standard reference guide for decades and is still widely admired today.

Fowler passed away in 1933 in Hinton St George, Somerset. His legacy as one of the great shapers of the English language endures, with his works remaining essential reading for writers and language enthusiasts. This plaque at his former Chelsea residence commemorates Fowler’s immense contributions to the understanding and usage of English.