Literary Road Map of Islington

Celebrate our borough's long, rich heritage of authors, screenwriters, poets and writers who live or work here

Literary Road Map of Islington celebrates our borough’s long, rich heritage of authors, screenwriters, poets and writers who have lived here, and the literary works which have been inspired by or set here.

Search the list below to see the novels, plays and poems which were written about Islington and the authors, such as Andrea Levy (1956-2019), who were born or lived in the borough, or Charles Dickens (1812-1870, who used various locations around Islington in their novels.

Also, look at our interactive map to see the literary connections to your area of Islington. To do this click on ‘Show Layers’, ‘Recreation & Leisure’ and check the ‘Literary Road Map’ box.

 

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Bunyan, John

1628-1688

The Pilgrims’ Progress (1678) and other titles. The writer, preacher and author is buried in Bunhill Fields Burial Ground.

Burnett, Gilbert Bishop of Salisbury

1643-1715

History of the Reformation of the Church of England (1679). The Bishop lived in Clerkenwell and was described by John Dryden (1631-1700) as “a portly prince and goodly to the sight.”

Busby, Sian

1960-2012

A Commonplace Killing (2012). The novel was set around Holloway Road, Seven Sisters Road and Caledonian Road.

Clee, Nicholas

Don't sweat the Aubergine (2005). The writer and journalist lives in Plimsoll Road with his wife Nicolette Jones.

Craig, Joe

1981-

Jimmy Coates series (2013). Children’s author lives in Tufnell Park.

Cavendish, Mary Duchess of Newcastle-upon-Tyne

1623-1673

The Blazing World (1666). She wrote what is regarded as one of the first science fiction novels and lived in Clerkenwell after the Restoration in 1660. Samuel Pepys (1633-1703) thought her a “conceited ridiculous woman.”

Cargill, Perdita and Honor

Waiting for Callback series (2016-). The mother and daughter writing team live in Barnsbury.

Carlyle, Thomas

1795-1881

The Scottish philosopher, satirical writer and essayist, lived in Islington for 10 years before moving to Chelsea in 1834.

Channing Wright, Sarah

The Angels of Islington (2014) A gothic thriller set in Islington following a group of vampires who have successfully integrated themselves into the goth scene of nineties.

Charlesworth, Kate

Sensible Footware – A Girl’s Guide (2019) The LGBT+ cartoonist and activist lived in Rawstorne Street, Clerkenwell.

Clarke, Adrian

Skeleton Sonnets (2002), Eurochants (2010) and other titles. The poet worked for Islington Libraries.

Cowley, Abraham

1618-1667

Of Solitude (1668) and other titles. “Let but thy wicked men from out thee go / And all the fools that crowd thee so / Even thou who dost thy millions boast / A village less than Islington will grow / A solitude almost”