Battersea local Jeanne Rathbone will be unveiling a blue plaque in honour of Tom Taylor and Laura Barker at 84 Lavender Sweep SE11 1HP.
Laura Barker (1819-1905) was a renowned composer and musician, who lived at the property with her husband Tom Taylor from 1858 until his death in 1880.
Tom Taylor (1817 – 1880) was an English dramatist, critic, biographer, public servant and editor of Punch magazine.
Both Laura and Tom held regular Sunday musical soirees, and celebrities at the time such as Lewis Carroll and Charles Dickens would attend.
Jeanne Rathbone is a local historian and Battersea Society member, and has been instrumental in securing plaques to commemorate notable Battersea residents, in particular women who have been under-represented in both local and national commemoration schemes.
Battersea Society members are local and former residents, businesses and even visitors who fell in love with this vibrant part of South West London/ Through our work we investigate and honour Battersea’s rich heritage, promote and protect our open spaces, and ensure community is at the heart of development across the historic borough.
The unveiling will take place on Saturday 28 September at 2pm. There are more details to follow.
You can read more about both Laura and Tom on Jeanne’s blog.