Literary Links
From inspirational bustling cities to idyllic secluded countryside, South East England has been the Muse to many of the great English writers. Here are just a selection of some of the many great English writers who have called South East England home.
One of the great English writers is Jane Austen who was born in the charming village of Steventon in Hampshire. Later on in life she spent much of her time in the picturesque village of Chawton in Hampshire. She passed away whilst visiting the city of Winchester in Hampshire, in 1817 and was buried in the city’s famous cathedral.
Another of the great English writers, Charles Dickens was born in Portsmouth in Hampshire in 1812. However he is perhaps best known for his associations with the city of Rochester in Kent. He lived in the city for many years and used it as the setting for many of his most famous novels.
More than a hundred years later, another of the great English writers arrived in South East England in the form of Kenneth Grahame. He spent many of his formative years on the banks of the River Thames in Berkshire. Later on in life he created the celebrated 'The Wind in the Willows', one of the classics of children’s literature.
Further other authors of note who lived in South East England and often thought of as great English authors, are Roald Dahl and J.R.R. Tolkien. Both spent much of their lives in the region, however Dahl was born in Wales and Tolkien in South Africa.
Roald Dahl the famous children’s author had many connections with the South East. His home near Great Missenden in Buckinghamshire is still home to his famous writing shed and gypsy caravan. Also in Great Missenden is the Roald Dahl museum and story centre.
J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis are often associated with Oxford in Oxfordshire. Both taught at the colleges of Oxford and spent time socialising there. J.R.R. Tolkien was spent most of his life in Oxford where he wrote many of his books. Magdalen College was important in the life of C.S.Lewis.
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