C. S. Forester Blue Plaque

About This Blue Plaque

Cecil Scott Forester (1899-1966) was a prolific English novelist best known for his naval adventure series featuring the character Horatio Hornblower. Born Cecil Louis Troughton Smith in Cairo, Egypt, he later changed his name to Cecil Scott Forester after moving to London in 1921.

Forester’s Hornblower series, which began with “The Happy Return” in 1937, followed the adventures of a British naval officer during the Napoleonic Wars. The novels were widely popular and later adapted into films and a television series. Forester also wrote other notable works such as “The African Queen” (1935), which was made into a successful film starring Humphrey Bogart and Katharine Hepburn.

During his career, Forester lived at 58 Underhill Road in the Dulwich area of Southwark, London. Southwark has a rich literary history, with other famous residents including Charles Dickens and George Orwell. The borough is also home to the historic Dulwich College, which has educated many notable figures. Forester’s time in Dulwich likely provided inspiration for his writing, as he was known for his meticulous research and attention to detail in his historical novels.

Forester’s works continue to be celebrated for their vivid storytelling and memorable characters. His Hornblower series has influenced countless naval adventure novels and remains popular among readers today. The blue plaque at his former Dulwich residence, erected in 1990, serves as a tribute to his enduring legacy in British literature.