Belgravia is a district of West London that is generally regarded as “well to do”, lying between Westminster and Kensington. It is composed mainly of elegant garden squares and connecting streets that were largely developed by the Grosvenor family (Dukes of Westminster) in the 19th century. This is “Upstairs Downstairs” land, where a typical town house would have its kitchen in the basement, servants’ quarters on the top floor and at least three floors of spacious rooms in between.
Its literary
connections have tended to be people who were either born into comfortable
circumstances or who made enough money from their literary successes to be able
to become “Belgravians”.
Among the former was the poet Algernon Charles Swinburne who
was born at an address in Chester Street in 1837. Although he grew up on the
Isle of Wight he returned to Belgravia (Grosvenor Place) in 1860 and also lived
for a time in Wilton Crescent, although he spent more of his life in other
parts of London.
The essayist and journalist Walter Bagehot (1826-77) began
and ended his life in Somerset, but spent a number of years in Upper Belgrave
St while he was editor of The Economist.
Poet and essayist Matthew Arnold (1822-88) lived in Chester
Square from 1858 to 1868. At this time he was earning an income as the
government’s chief Inspector of Schools and was also gaining a reputation as a
poet of note – he had been elected Professor of Poetry at Oxford University in
1867.
Sir W S Gilbert (1836-1911) lived in Eaton Square towards
the end of his life. He could easily afford to do so, having made a fortune
from the series of light opera libretti he wrote for Sir Arthur Sullivan. He
had also been responsible for financing the reconstruction of the Garrick Theatre
on Charing Cross Road.
Novelists George Meredith (1828-1909) and George Moore
(1852-1933) lived at one time in Ebury Street, the latter spending his final 22
years there. A better known resident to modern readers was Ian Fleming
(1908-64), the creator of James Bond. He lived in Ebury Street from 1936 to
1939. His later wealth enabled him to buy a house in nearby Victoria Square in
1953, although he also spent much of his time at Goldeneye, his home in Jamaica
where most of his writing was done.
Another 20th century novelist who used his
success to enjoy a Belgravia lifestyle was C P Snow (1905-80) who lived in
Eaton Square – together with his novelist wife Pamela Hansford Johnson
(1912-81) – from 1968 until his death.
Playwright and composer Sir Noel Coward (1899-1973) lived in
Gerald Road from 1930 to 1956. He wrote several plays (including Cavalcade and
This Happy Breed) while living here, as well as two volumes of autobiography.
© John Welford
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