A new plaque for an iconic St Albans illustrator has been unveiled in the city centre.
Blue Plaques St Albans (BPSA) installed the latest plaque last week, which is dedicated to illustrator, artist and journalist Frederic Kitton (1856-1904).
In his adopted city, Kitton became known for his illustrations of old St Albans and Hertfordshire, co-editing the Hertfordshire Illustrated Review.
He also enjoyed an illustrious writing career, and was a noted writer on the works and life of Charles Dickens.
In 1897, Kitton was elected as a member of St Albans & Hertfordshire Architectural and Archaeological Society, taking a keen interest in conservation.
The plaque was inaugurated at 1pm Friday, October 25, with a short ceremony announced by St Albans town crier (Steve Potter) and led by Prof Tim Boatswain (Chair of BPSA).
A short eulogy was given by Robert Pankhurst and the official dedication was concluded by a speech from the Mayor of the city and district of St Albans, Cllr Jamie Day.
The chosen site was ‘The Gables’, an iconic 17th century building at 13 Market Place, as Kitton was instrumental in launching a public petition to save the building from demolition in 1899.
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Fourteen plaques have been installed by the BPSA since early 2022, spanning time from John Ball (a leader of the 1381 peasants’ revolt) to Stephen Hawking.
Blue Plaques St Albans is an independent group of representatives from, and supported by a variety of interested bodies, including the Civic Society and St Albans City and District Council.
The independent body works to produce and install plaques celebrating notable persons in the city’s past on buildings that are significant to their lives.
A spokesperson for the society ensured that "more plaques are planned" and a new "Blue Plaques Trail leaflet" is coming soon to guide visitors around them.
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