Heritage Plaques

Islington’s Heritage Plaques showcase our culturally rich and colourful heritage by commemorating the significant people, places, and events in the borough. There are currently 102 plaques spread out on various sites across the borough. Search the full list of Heritage Plaques below and be inspired by some of the amazing people, places and events of Islington.

  • Artists & Writers

Andrea Levy (1956-2019)

Celebrated author. Childhood home, Twyford House in Elwood Street, Highbury.

Andrea Levy plaque
Andrea Levy was born in Whittington Hospital in Islington in 1956. She grew up with her family in Twyford House on the Blackstock estate, and attended the prestigious Highbury Hill Grammar School (now Highbury Fields School). After starting to write as a hobby in her early 30s, Andrea went on to produce some of the nation’s most celebrated and influential works exploring the lives and contributions of immigrants and working class people in the UK. Best known for her novels Small Island and The Long Song, Andrea’s work provides an insight into life in Britain from the perspective of the Windrush generation. Read more about Andrea Levy

Derek Jarman (1942-1994)

Artist, Film Director and Queer Activist. 60 Liverpool, N1.

An Islington People’s Plaque unveiled February 2018 to commemorate Jarman’s contribution to LGBT+ activism, film and the arts. The plaque is situated on the facade of the artists’ collective he lived in from 1967-69, at the very start of his creative career. Read more here.

Thomas Hosmer Shepherd (1793-1864)

Artist who portrayed London. 26 Batchelor Street, N1.

A Greater London Council plaque, unveiled in 1976.

Amelia Edwards

Egyptologist and Writer. 19, Wharton Street, WC1X.

A English Heritage Plaque, unveiled in 2015.

Louis MacNiece (1907-1963)

Poet. 52 Canonbury Park South, N1.

A English Heritage Plaque.

Tom Paine (1737-1809)

Revolutionary and Author. Angel Square.

A Memorial to ‘The Rights of Man’.

Alexander Cruden (1699-1770)

Humanist Scholar and Intellectual. 45 Camden Passage, N1.

A Market Stallholders Association plaque.

Riceyman Steps

Setting for the novel by Arnold Bennett. Gwynne Place, WC1.

An Amwell Society plaque.

William Makepeace Thackeray (1811-1863)

Author. Clerkenwell Road, EC1.

George Baxter (1804-1867)

Artist and Craftsman. 11 Northampton Square, EC1.

Charles ‘Elia’ Lamb (1775-1834)

Essayist. 64 Duncan Terrace, N1.

A London County Council plaque.

George Orwell (1903-1950)

Novelist and Essayist. 27 Canonbury Square, N1.

A London Borough of Islington plaque in conjunction with the Canonbury Society. Unveiled in May 2016, replacing the original plaque on this site.