Chertsey's Literary Connections (2008-2009)

Chertsey’s rich literary connections were the subject of one of our talks in April 2009 which was based on two guided walks led by Mrs Jocelyn Boater, one of which finished with readings in Chertsey Bookshop. It is hoped to produce a separate publication highlighting Chertsey’s links with a number of authors of generally recognised traditional literature including:
Thomas Cranmer : Book of Common Prayer (1548); William Shakespeare (1564 – 1616): Richard III; Sir John Denham (1615-69): poem from Cooper Hill, Egham, mentions St Ann’s Hill; Abraham Cowley (1618 –1667): John Dryden lines in Fox’s Temple of Friendship - St Ann’s Hill;  Thomas Love Peacock (1785-1866); George Meredith ( 1828 - 1909); Charles Dickens (1812 – 1870); Samuel Carter Hall (1800 -1889);  Anna Maria Hall (1800 -1881 );  Albert Smith (1816 – 1860 );  J B Priestly (visited Chertsey in the 1920s, biographer of Thomas Love Peacock);  Nina Bawden (1925 to date ); Edward Lear (1812 - 1888): Limerick.

In addition, books on local history and technical subjects have been produced by a number of local residents including Lucy Wheeler, Eric Chambers, Robert Poulton, James Lander, Geoff Chapman, David Wheeler, etc etc.

Thursday 21st August 2008 – Jocelyn Boater leading a Literary Tour finishing in Chertsey Bookshop