The Strange History of Poets Corner in Westminster Abbey
Andrew Summers
- Regions:
- London, Essex, Suffolk, Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire
- Notice Period:
- Short (maybe less than one month's notice)
- Type:
- Professional
- Fee:
- Paid: £70 plus mileage and time as applicable
- Category:
- Entertainment
- Updated:
- 27th May 2026
- Tagged:
- Poetry
What is known as Poets Corner is located in the South transept of Westminster Abbey. 130 Poets and writers are commemorated or buried in Poets corner plus another nineteen elsewhere with in the abbey
Forty are buried in the abbey - the last one being Alfred Lord Tennyson 1892. Since that time only ashes are placed there although in many cases poets are buried/ interred elsewhere.
Not all figures are known for being poets although all had some literary merit. Most were not honoured at the time but some time afterwards. Since 1560 (Elizabeth 1) the decision as to who is commemorated lies with the Dean of Westminster Abbey.
The Dean may or not be swayed by public demand. Some poets and writers have elaborate sculptures but that depended on the wealth of their patrons. Some were very controversial at the time. Burial or commemoration in the Abbey did not always occur at or soon after the time of death.
Lord Byron, for example, whose lifestyle caused a scandal, although his poetry was much admired, died in 1824 but was finally given a memorial only in 1969. Even Shakespeare, although buried at Stratford-upon-Avon in 1616, had to wait until 1740 before a monument, designed by William Kent, appeared in Poets' Corner. Many of the other poets and writers, well known in their day have now vanished into obscurity, with only their monuments to show that they were once famous.
This is an interactive talk and audience members will be invited to read selected extracts from well known poems. The talk is fully illustrated and includes a short video about the iconic poem, 'In Flanders Field' by John McCrae.
Views: 2 | Enquiries: 0About Andrew Summers
Andrew was born within the sound of Bow Bells on a quiet day. His father Kazik spent two years in a Soviet Labour camp as a ‘guest’ of Joe Stalin. His mother Diana worked for some time at Bletchley Park helping to crack codes, but that was all very secretive. After a spell in North Kent and then Leigh on Sea, for the past 30 years Andrew has lived in Hadleigh (Essex) and been married to Glenis. Andrew has bought and sold books in the UK and abroad and even printed books too. With a change of tack he now an author and publisher. Andrew has written or co-written a number of books, They Did Their Duty, Essex Farm which tells the story of Essex Farm in Belgium and its connections with the Essex Regiment, edited The Numbers Had to Tally, a second world war survival story and written The Riddle of Boudica. He too has compiled ONCE UPON A TIME IN SOUTHEND (and District). With his co-writer John Debenham they have created the Essex Hundred series of books, including Magna Carta in Essex and The Essex Hundred Histories which has been reprinted 15 times. The latest title in the Essex Hundred series due in the spring of 2026 is ONCE IN ESSEX, NOW IN LONDON.
Our talks are ‘Powerpoint’ illustrated and usually include an embedded video short. We will bring our own lap top or flash drive for the presentation. We can provide a projector if needed at small extra charge. We rely on the venue to provide a suitable screen and audio/ sound equipment /mike if needed. Timing is between 40 minutes and one hour and allows for breaks and questions. We always look at history from alternative perspectives and try to link past events to those of the present day. More www.essex100.com, Email. ask@essex100.com Tel 01702 557828
Send a message to the speaker
If you are interested in this talk and wish to contact the speaker, please complete the following form: