Fitzrovia's literary history
In honour of National Book Lovers Day (9 August), join us on a whistlestop tour through Fitzrovia's literary past.
29 Fitzroy Square
Virginia Woolf & George Bernard ShawOne of the most influential writers of the twentieth century, Virginia Woof lived in Fitzroy Square between 1907-1911.
She began her first novel, The Voyage Out, whilst living here.
Irish playwright, critic and political activist, George Bernard Shaw, famous for Pygmalion, also lived at the address from 1887-1898.
The Newman Arms
George OrwellEnglish dystopian writer George Orwell, author of Animal Farm and 1984, was a regular at The Newman Arms.
The pub served as inspiration for the 'proles' pub featured in 1984.
The Wheatsheaf
Dylan ThomasWelsh poet and writer Dylan Thomas met his future wife, Caitlin Macnamara, at The Wheatsheaf in 1936.
22 Cleveland Street
Charles DicketsVictorian novelist Charles Dickens spent part of his younger life living at 22 Cleveland Street, twice, firstly between 1815-16 and then from 1828-1831, just doors away from the Cleveland Street Workhouse, a source of inspiration for his 1837 novel, Oliver Twist.
The Fitzroy Tavern
Dylan Thomas, George Orwell, George Bernard Shaw, Nina Hamnett, Augustus JohnThe meeting point for many of the writers and artists in bohemian Fitzrovia from the 1920s to 1950s.
This group also coined the name 'Fitzrovia'.
Any other points we should add to our map?
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