In History Revealed’s ‘My life in history’ series, Howard Spencer talks about his role as blue plaques historian at English Heritage
What is the Blue Plaque scheme and how did it start?
The English Heritage blue plaques scheme – which runs in London – marks the links between famous people and the buildings in which they lived or worked. On occasions, plaques are also used to denote other interesting historical associations that wouldn’t otherwise be obvious, such as the house where the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood of artists was founded in 1848. The plaque scheme that English Heritage runs dates back to 1866; it was William Ewart MP, otherwise known as a pioneer of public libraries, who first aired the idea of inscribing “on those houses in London which have been inhabited by celebrated persons, the names of such persons”.
How did you become involved with the Blue Plaque scheme?
I saw a job advertised, applied, and got it! What helped me was probably my previous work as a research editor on the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, and for the History of Parliament project. I’ve always had a strong interest in architectural history and conservation. The preservation of buildings has always been part of the intention with blue plaques, on the basis that if you let people know that a building has an interesting historical association, they are less likely to quietly allow a wrecking ball to smash through it.
What does your role as Senior Blue Plaques historian entail?
I either research or commission research on the suggestions for blue plaques that come in from the public. I also write about the existing plaques and the people-building links they commemorate – for example, in The English Heritage Guide to London’s Blue Plaques, the walk-around guidebook that I edited.
How are buildings and people chosen to have a blue plaque?
Pretty well all the plaques originate with a suggestion from a member of the public. The ideas are researched and assessed for viability, and then selected by a panel of experts. The building is chosen for the strength of its link with the person commemorated, while also taking into account whether siting a plaque would damage the building’s aesthetics, and whether it can be placed where people can actually see it.
Of the hundreds of plaques in London, do you have a favourite?
It’s always the last one to go up! That was to Helena Normanton, who broke a few glass ceilings in the legal profession. Other than that, I’d mention the plaque to the American broadcaster Edward R Murrow, which is in Hallam Street just north of BBC Broadcasting House.
That was the first case I researched, and I was able to attend the unveiling with my father, John, who passed away in 2015. He remembered Murrow’s wartime broadcasts and was instrumental in getting me interested in history and building heritage in the first place. Another one that meant a lot to me, as a football fan, was the plaque to Laurie Cunningham; I got to meet Mark Bright, one of my sporting heroes.
If someone thinks a building is worthy of a blue plaque, what should they do?
Firstly, they should visit the English Heritage website and see if the idea meets the conditions of acceptance, the most important of which are that figures suggested must have died at least 20 years ago, and that the building should be original (the one that they actually lived or worked in). The nominee must also – in the view of our panel, and the words of the selection criteria – have made “some important positive contribution to human welfare or happiness”. We can only put around 12 plaques up per year, so by necessity it’s a selective and competitive process, but there is nothing to be lost by making an application.
This article was first published in the February 2022 issue of BBC History Revealed