Nancy Mitford Blue Plaque

About This Blue Plaque

Nancy Mitford was a renowned English novelist, biographer, and journalist who lived from 1904 to 1973. Born into an aristocratic family, she was one of the famous Mitford sisters known for their witty and often controversial lives. Nancy’s sharp humor and keen observations of upper-class society marked her writing career.

During World War II, from 1942 to 1945, Nancy worked at the Heywood Hill bookshop located at 10 Curzon Street in London’s fashionable Mayfair district. It was here that she honed her literary skills and rubbed shoulders with the London intelligentsia. Her experiences during this time undoubtedly influenced her later works.

Nancy’s most famous novels include “The Pursuit of Love” (1945) and “Love in a Cold Climate” (1949), both satirical depictions of the English upper class. She also wrote several biographies, including one of Madame de Pompadour. In 1967, she was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) for her contributions to literature.

10 Curzon Street, where the commemorative plaque is located, sits in the heart of Westminster, one of London’s most prestigious boroughs. Known for its historic landmarks, government buildings, and luxury shopping, Westminster provides a fitting backdrop for remembering one of Britain’s most celebrated 20th-century writers.