Anthony Powell Blue Plaque

Blue Plaques are a familiar sight in London and assist residents and visitors to understand the history of the various houses and districts in the capital and also help to promote interest in famous residents of the past.

On 16 September 2023 around 40 Society members and their guests celebrated the installation of an Anthony Powell commemorative Blue Plaque at 1 Chester Gate, London, NW1. This was the house that Anthony and Violet Powell lived in (Except for the war years) from 1937 to 1952; and it is where Powell wrote A Question of Upbringing, the first volume of A Dance to the Music of Time.

The plaque is in the style used by English Heritage and bears the name of The Anthony Powell Society as sponsor. The simple lettering and wording was agreed with the Powell family.  The plaque is pictured on the right prior to installation.

The unveiling ceremony was hosted by Society President, Ferdinand Mount, who is pictured outside the house together with Julia his wife (pictured right).

In his address Ferdy paid tribute to Keith Marshall, Jeff Manley and Paul Milliken who did the work to get the plaque project completed. He also thanked the freeholder (The Crown Estate), the leaseholder and Camden Council for granting the various permissions required.

Ferdy introduced the various family members who attended including both Tristram Powell, who lived in the house as a child, and Lady Antonia Fraser, who lodged there prior to going up to Oxford University. Both commented that the house appeared to have remained very much as they remembered it.

After the ceremony, which was favoured by beautiful weather, members and guests moved to a local pub, The Queens Head and Artichoke in Albany Street, for lunch and drinks.