Anthony Trollope Black Plaque

About This Blue Plaque

Anthony Trollope was one of the most successful and prolific English novelists of the Victorian era. Born in London in 1815, he had a difficult childhood marked by his father’s financial struggles and his mother Frances Trollope’s efforts to support the family through her own writing. Despite these challenges, Trollope found his calling as a writer and went on to pen 47 novels, numerous short stories, and several travel books.

Trollope’s literary career took off while he worked as a surveyor for the Post Office, a position that required him to travel extensively throughout the United Kingdom and Ireland. This exposure to diverse people and places informed his writing, which often explored themes of social class, politics, and gender roles in Victorian society. Some of his most famous works include the “Chronicles of Barsetshire” series and the “Palliser” novels.

In addition to his successful writing career, Trollope was a devoted public servant. He played a key role in the development of the postal system in the United Kingdom, introducing the iconic red pillar boxes for mail collection. Trollope lived at 39 Montagu Square in Westminster, London, from 1873 until his death in 1882. The historic blue plaque commemorating his residence here was unveiled in 1914, recognizing his significant contributions to English literature and society.

Westminster, where Trollope resided, has long been a hub of political and cultural activity in London. Home to the Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey, and numerous other landmarks, this borough has attracted many notable figures over the centuries. Trollope’s choice to live in this area reflects his status as a prominent literary figure and his involvement in the social and political circles of his time.

Today, Anthony Trollope is remembered as one of the great chroniclers of Victorian England, whose works continue to be widely read and admired for their wit, social commentary, and insight into human nature. His legacy as a novelist and public servant is commemorated by the blue plaque at his former Westminster residence, a testament to his enduring impact on English literature and culture.