Sax Rohmer Blue Plaque

About This Blue Plaque

Sax Rohmer, born Arthur Henry Ward in 1883, was a prolific English novelist best known for creating the iconic character of Dr. Fu Manchu, a villainous Chinese criminal mastermind. Rohmer lived at 51 Herne Hill in the Borough of Lambeth, London, where a blue plaque was erected in his honor in 1985.

Throughout his career, Rohmer wrote numerous novels, short stories, and articles spanning various genres, including mystery, adventure, and supernatural fiction. However, it was his series of novels featuring the nefarious Dr. Fu Manchu that brought him international fame. The first novel in the series, “The Mystery of Dr. Fu-Manchu,” was published in 1913 and was followed by numerous sequels.

Rohmer’s Dr. Fu Manchu stories played a significant role in shaping popular perceptions of Asian characters in Western literature during the early 20th century. While the portrayal of Dr. Fu Manchu as a stereotypical “Yellow Peril” villain is considered controversial and racially insensitive by modern standards, the character’s enduring popularity is a testament to Rohmer’s skill as a storyteller and his ability to capture the public’s imagination.

Although Rohmer’s connection to the Borough of Lambeth is primarily through his residence at 51 Herne Hill, the area has a rich literary history. Lambeth has been home to several notable writers, including William Blake, who lived in the borough in the late 18th century, and Muriel Spark, author of “The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie,” who resided in Camberwell, a district within Lambeth.

Sax Rohmer passed away in 1959, but his legacy lives on through his iconic creation, Dr. Fu Manchu, who has been adapted numerous times for film, television, radio, and comic books. The blue plaque at 51 Herne Hill serves as a reminder of Rohmer’s contribution to popular culture and his place in London’s literary history.